straw man
Hall of Fame Member
There may be more reason for it batting at 7 in List A, but that's very much Chu's FC record so far too. Lots of starts but few big scores, steadfastly averages 30 every season.
-
Welcome to the Cricket Web forums, one of the biggest forums in the world dedicated to cricket.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join the Cricket Web community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.
*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread
- Thread starter NZTailender
- Start date
straw man
Hall of Fame Member
On the next wicketkeeper, I think everyone including myself has the tendency to focus disproportionately on the wicketkeeper's batting at times. Probably because it's easily seen and quantified, while good wicketkeeping is mostly anonymous. Blundell has done a decent job overall but, between his form behind the wickets the last couple of seasons and Latham/Conway/Seifert's increasingly error-ridden keeping in limited overs, it's a reminder that actually it'd be really nice if our wicketkeeper could just catch everything, not break fingers, take runouts, organise the slips, be tidy and not concede byes.
NZ has been fortunate to have had a line of long-serving ultra-reliable wicketkeeper-batsmen over the last few decades - Watling, McCullum, Parore, Smith - with gaps of only a few years in between. We're looking for the next one of those, ideally in all three formats.
Hay does seem like the one who could potentialy be it for all three formats (due to his batting). But, I hope his glovework is really good or can be improved, like Watling did. Chu will get chances too, you'd think, same goes for him. Overall, recency says we need to value pure wicketkeeping quite highly, especially in test cricket.
NZ has been fortunate to have had a line of long-serving ultra-reliable wicketkeeper-batsmen over the last few decades - Watling, McCullum, Parore, Smith - with gaps of only a few years in between. We're looking for the next one of those, ideally in all three formats.
Hay does seem like the one who could potentialy be it for all three formats (due to his batting). But, I hope his glovework is really good or can be improved, like Watling did. Chu will get chances too, you'd think, same goes for him. Overall, recency says we need to value pure wicketkeeping quite highly, especially in test cricket.
If we're getting a new perpetual trophy this summer against England, at this rate we're probably creating one for the Windies next summer, aren't we?
In which case, can I suggest the Simpson Guillen Memorial Trophy? There's literally no one better to name it for:
In which case, can I suggest the Simpson Guillen Memorial Trophy? There's literally no one better to name it for:
- He played for both teams
- He won a Test with both teams
- He won a Test against both teams
- He played in the first ever Test between the two teams
- He finished his Test career by effecting a stumping for the last wicket to secure NZ's first ever Test win (against the West Indies)
Last edited:
Bahnz
Hall of Fame Member
Listening to Wag's audio book on Spotify. Brings back so many awesome memories from his career. Really interesting observations from him about the culture of SA cricket and why it might contribute to guys like him and Conway only really blossoming when they leave it.
Interesting anecdotes from the 2012 WI tour that show just how dysfunctional the team was. He had to deal with Wright's assistant coach unloading on him (a test debutant remember) about how he was worried about losing his job. When he survived until stumps as the nightwatchman, he apparently had Taylor and McCullum telling him they wanted him to go out and swing the bat in the morning, and John Wright independently telling him to knuckle down and bat time. When McCullum started to glare at him after a few overs of dead batting, Wagner played a hook shot and gloved one to the keeper, and then had to deal with Wright calling him "the most ****ing useless nighwatchman I've ever seen." It's a miracle that team didn't completely disintegrate.
Was also really shocking hearing about how he felt like such a failure that he briefly contemplated suicide during the 2012 tour of SL. Thankfully his connecting with his future wife (then just an online acquaintance) helped him to get through it. Also, he locked that **** down with Lana fast. Moved from casual Facebook chats to proposing in about 6 months!
Interesting anecdotes from the 2012 WI tour that show just how dysfunctional the team was. He had to deal with Wright's assistant coach unloading on him (a test debutant remember) about how he was worried about losing his job. When he survived until stumps as the nightwatchman, he apparently had Taylor and McCullum telling him they wanted him to go out and swing the bat in the morning, and John Wright independently telling him to knuckle down and bat time. When McCullum started to glare at him after a few overs of dead batting, Wagner played a hook shot and gloved one to the keeper, and then had to deal with Wright calling him "the most ****ing useless nighwatchman I've ever seen." It's a miracle that team didn't completely disintegrate.
Was also really shocking hearing about how he felt like such a failure that he briefly contemplated suicide during the 2012 tour of SL. Thankfully his connecting with his future wife (then just an online acquaintance) helped him to get through it. Also, he locked that **** down with Lana fast. Moved from casual Facebook chats to proposing in about 6 months!
RossTaylorsBox
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Jesus what a grim time
Wagner is a very admirable cricketer. He squeezed every ounce of his ability and found his niche, resolutely sticking to it. Even when it looked like he was finished, he had his moment at Wellington when it looked like Root and Stokes would take England to victory (that last wicket still gives me nightmares).
wellAlbidarned
International Coach
Starting reading it last night. Already the most moving cricket book I've already read. Dude writes like he bowls (I know it's ghostwritten but the point is still valid), absolutely bares it all. Highly recommend.
Interesting Wagner interview on RNZ:
www.rnz.co.nz
Neil Wagner - All Out
Neil Wagner is one of our top bowlers to play test cricket for New Zealand. He opens up to Susie about his triumphs on the field, and personal challenges off it.
www.rnz.co.nz
NZTailender
I can't believe I ate the whole thing
Lol dougeh
RossTaylorsBox
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
*sniffffffffff* dougeh
wellAlbidarned
International Coach
rec drug use is overblown as a problem, but when people get popped it's usually because there's other issues and it's the easiest way to throw the book at them
wellAlbidarned
International Coach
*proceeds to give intense blow-by-blow of his 6-fer against australia that one time*
If I was to estimate the amount of players who take things on a recreational, sometimes/one-off/special occasion basis (at least when I was around) it wouldn't have been much south of 50%.
Probably the difference being most of them knew to be smarter about when they were taking it. Doug probably got to the point where he didn't much care if he got caught or not.
When it becomes an issue is something like the Ezra Mam situation in the NRL, where he drove his car into someone and badly injured a 4 year old amongst others. But I'm sure Doug was just heading to the Thirsty Whale or somewhere else around the Ahuriri region.
I get why it's banned, honestly I do. But it's not significant
Probably the difference being most of them knew to be smarter about when they were taking it. Doug probably got to the point where he didn't much care if he got caught or not.
When it becomes an issue is something like the Ezra Mam situation in the NRL, where he drove his car into someone and badly injured a 4 year old amongst others. But I'm sure Doug was just heading to the Thirsty Whale or somewhere else around the Ahuriri region.
I get why it's banned, honestly I do. But it's not significant
RossTaylorsBox
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Lol
Immenso
International Vice-Captain
On Sky Sport (UK) podcast. Simon Doull was on as the guest, and he mentioned that he had 'first hand knowledge' that for the next blackcaps coach (when Stead's contract expires in 6 months) that the NZC cheque book will be out and they are prepared to pay significantly more, and are wanting a top-notch / high profile candidate.