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*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

Moss

Moss

International Vice-Captain
Right decision of course, a sustained period of below-par performances isn’t a good look for a captain and Southee probably looked at the India tour and decided it isn’t getting easier anytime soon. He’s probably reasoned he’s better off trying to force his way back in for home conditions (though obviously it remains to be seen if NZ are prepared to leave him out, starting with Bangalore which was the scene of his revival back in 2012).

Not that Latham exactly commands a place in the side on recent form, but hopefully he has a more optimal attack to work with in India.
 
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Bahnz

Bahnz

Hall of Fame Member
Moss said:
Not that Latham exactly commands a place in the side on recent form, but hopefully he has a more optimal attack to work with in India.
Click to expand...
He's fine as a transition captain for the remainder of the tour.

Big question is who should get the gig for the home summer? Daryl Mitchell probably the most likely candidate, but at 33 it'd be another short-term fix, and one vulnerable to a form drop-off in 18 months time. Phillips seems to me to be the likely long-term candidate, but I kinda want to wait until after Stead is gone, and then bring in a fresh Captain/Coach combo who are on the same page about the direction the team should be heading in.
 
jcas0167

jcas0167

International Debutant
Southee's record as captain - I think that nail biting win over England last year was the high point.

Played: 14

Won: 6

Lost: 6

Drawn: 2
 
Bahnz

Bahnz

Hall of Fame Member
As a captain, I think Southee was perfectly fine, definitely better than Latham, arguably better than KW (in particular he was a lot less shy of taking a punt with the spinners and not immediately yanking them off after getting hit for a couple of 6's). Also made the very sensible decision to bowl his underperforming new ball swing specialist as little as possible once he realised how past it he was.
 
jcas0167

jcas0167

International Debutant
Yeah, I think Southee had better captaincy instincts than those two who are probably more conservative in their approach to captaincy and batting (obv). A shame it coincided with his form dropping off after a reasonable revival where he outperformed Boult.
 
straw man

straw man

Hall of Fame Member
Well that's news.

I was surprised when I looked up the other day that it's already been nearly 2 years and 14 tests since Southee took over - does not feel like it. Two years was about what people expected when he took over. Obv his bowling decline has undermined his ability to continue as captain - 22/23 season was ok, but the 23/24 season until now has been 8 tests averaging 57, while keeping better bowlers out of the side.

As others have posted, this helps with selection in the immediate term i.e. Southee can be left out in India, but Latham under Stead's coaching is not going to provide the fresh direction we all want to see either.
 
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