*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

[wellAlbidarned]

There was some media commentary that O'Rourke had appeared as a like-for-like replacement for Jamieson as soon as the latter got injured, which I found weird as I don't see them as similar bowlers at all, aside from height. Shipley is far more a reserve Jamieson imo - shame he's not able to stay fit.

yeah this kind of commentary annoys me too, because it betrays how shallow our cricket journalism is. Jamieson is a standard NZ pitch-it-up swing and seam bowler who happens to be 6'8"

O'Rourke is closer to an australian or south african style bang-it-in quick, which isn't something we've ever had much of. Maybe Ian Butler?

 

[Immenso]

Yes, weird. But that's what the stuff and nzc article say. Probably picked it up in the very last ford trophy game.

He played today as well.

 

[Moss]

yeah this kind of commentary annoys me too, because it betrays how shallow our cricket journalism is. Jamieson is a standard NZ pitch-it-up swing and seam bowler who happens to be 6'8"

O'Rourke is closer to an australian or south african style bang-it-in quick, which isn't something we've ever had much of. Maybe Ian Butler?

Remember having high hopes for Butler especially when the attack was so one-dimensional whenever Bond was missing, but don't think he had much going for him besides pace. Another victim of NZ selection policy under John Bracewell so hard to say.

The one NZ bowler I recall relying a lot on bounce was Health Davis. O'Rourke is maybe a pointer to what Davis could have been if he sorted out the no ball problem.

 

[DougieRydal]

Nathan Smith has signed for Surrey amid "major interest in Smith’s signature from other counties"

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

 

[Chubb]

Nathan Smith has signed for Surrey amid "major interest in Smith’s signature from other counties"

Just in time for him to finally break into the NZ side.

Bit disappointed that he's joining Surrey rather than Essex or a less dominant county but totally get it if they offered him more $$.

 

[Immenso]

Read the article to make sure it wasn't a kolpak type deal, it isn't.

The comments under the article about the duke/kooka are examples of outraged-from-tunbridge-wells literary masterpieces.

 

[Skyliner]

That must be the worst dismissal of ‘King Kohli’s’ career, what an appalling shot, an across the line swat at a full toss. He’ll hate seeing the replays and he’ll hate anyone else seeing the replays.

 

[RMBolton]

Nathan Smith has signed for Surrey amid "major interest in Smith’s signature from other counties"

When was the last time 5 counties were interested in an uncapped overseas player?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

When was the last time 5 counties were interested in an uncapped overseas player?

Probably not since South Africa was banned

 

[Chubb]

County coaches have a better sense of these things than Gary Stead.

 

[Flem274*]

Smith is also the perfect county bowler. Swings it, reasonably sharp and is an allrounder with solid batting technique (has been promoted to #4 in shield before)

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Smith is also the perfect county bowler. Swings it, reasonably sharp and is an allrounder with solid batting technique (has been promoted to #4 in shield before)

ace fielder too

 

[RMBolton]

Probably not since South Africa was banned

Yeah, that makes sense. I think what I was really meant to ask was "has there ever been a time when 5 counties were chasing an uncapped NZ player?"

 

[Northerner]

Is it time to move on from Blundell as keeper?. produced some very good performances in the past but recently far too many low scores. whos next in line, any thoughts. ?

 

[straw man]

It's just a matter of when.

It looks like we're going to jump to the younger generation - M Hay is 24, a very good batsman and is on NZ's next white ball tour, and M Chu is 24, less good with the bat but it has been said he's very good with the gloves. When will the selectors decide one of those is ready for test cricket? Not sure. Could be soon if Hay impresses in white-ball.

If we needed an interim option (e.g. if Blundell was completely out) then Cleaver and Fletcher are a couple of years younger (32 and 31). There's also Seifert, though glovework is questionable and he is going the franchise T20 route.

I think Blundell will get the home summer and wouldn't be surprised if he scores runs against England, given his record against them.

 

[Athlai]

Cleaver and Fletcher seem like they won't really stand out (though Blundell also started really well out of nowhere), the young guns in a year sound great though

 

[Immenso]

Timing is everything, and Hay is going 0, 2, 0 so far in Ford Trophy with one more game today. Then will miss plunket while on the white ball tour.

So don't think he will force a case before England series starts.

 

[RMBolton]

I think Hay has the inside track, but that's probably mostly to do with his batting considering he had to wait in line behind Fletcher at Canterbury. With that said, I think Chu could definitely bring himself into the conversation if he churns out the runs this season (& especially if Hay doesn't).
Didn't someone here talk about Wells being a fan of Chu's?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Timing is everything, and Hay is going 0, 2, 0 so far in Ford Trophy with one more game today. Then will miss plunket while on the white ball tour.

So don't think he will force a case before England series starts.

20 today for Hay. Has been batting 4.

Chu in Ford Trophy at 7:
32, 17, 28, 34, and 46* off 41 today v Wellington