So let me see if I got this right (& I stand to be corrected) NZ played 5 games in 5 different cities / grounds and England played 5 at the same venue? Not an excuse but fair shake of the ol sausage Tony.
It's not ideal that's for sure BUT if anything, the difference is that English players have a better T20 league to play in and one that involved current or ex-International T20 stars. We could really do with having a team or two in the BBL if we want to improve quickly.
So let me see if I got this right (& I stand to be corrected) NZ played 5 games in 5 different cities / grounds and England played 5 at the same venue? Not an excuse but fair shake of the ol sausage Tony.
England played at two different venues.
And the women lost their game against the West Indies. So 2 West Indian teams in the finals. Is this a resurgence after years in the wilderness?
And the women lost their game against the West Indies. So 2 West Indian teams in the finals. Is this a resurgence after years in the wilderness?
I'd say for the men it's more a sign of West Indies players getting screwed for wages by their board so their better off as a mercenary T20 cricketer. We'll always see top T20 sides from them but not the ODI/Test arena ever again.
I know one of the White Ferns coaches (I think he's the batting coach maybe...). He messaged this morning saying that the Windies women players are simply more athletic than most other women's teams and they will continue to get better and will top Aussie, England and NZ as the top women's sides in the world soon. I watched most of the game and having watched quite a lot of women's cricket in the last 2 years, the Windies players are simply faster and stronger.
Epic last over! The icing on the cake was Stokes being the bowler. Brilliant finish to what has been a pretty entertaining tournament.
Awesome seeing both Windies teams win.
With all the shark that went down over there I was worried we may not see a strong Windies for a while. A good Windies is good for international cricket IMO.
Absolutely agree. Also awesome to see both mens and womens team out there together. I wonder how much the NZ mens and womens teams had to do with each other?
Awesome seeing both Windies teams win.
With all the shark that went down over there I was worried we may not see a strong Windies for a while. A good Windies is good for international cricket IMO.
Awesome seeing both Windies teams win.
With all the shark that went down over there I was worried we may not see a strong Windies for a while. A good Windies is good for international cricket IMO.
Well a) it is still a form of cricket and teams being good at one form at any given time is normal, and b) Players may be more interested in playing other forms when their management stopped dicking them around.
Pretty amazing having a rant at everyone when you win!
Ugh, a day/night test at Eden Park? Fudge off
I'm anti day-night tests. I know its a reality and I have to get with the times, but I just think the variation in conditions is to much, and that they haven't yet got the ball right.
I dunno. Adelaide was pretty good.
I'd be more anti Eden Park in this situation than anything. Just isn't a proper test ground in any way shape or form. Day/Nighter at Seddon would work well i think.
D/N tests might work one day but they should have played more tour games and first class matches in the format in different conditions and for a few years before introducing it at test level. Like Mike said, the variation in conditions over the day is so different to regular tests. It doesn't seem fair on captains or players that test series could be decided by the fact that no one is yet used to how to adjust to the format. Yeah, there's always a massive element of luck in test cricket but it's in situations where people are used to it.
I don't know, I probably just sound like a grumpy old man who's against change.
As for Eden Park, it's a horrible test venue. The dimensions are all wrong and it's got way too many seats. Seddon, Hagley, University Oval, the Basin - those are great test venues. They're actually oval, they've got nice grass embankments, and they are small enough that if there's only a few thousand people there on a weekday it doesn't seem laughable. Auckland desperately needs a proper international cricket venue
It's not realistic to think they won't use Eden Park for a test match against England to accommodate the touring spectators. If we are going to have a D/N test it may as well be in Eden Park, the grass banks at other venues on a cooler evening won't necessarily be as pleasant as during the day, so have it at a fully seated venue.
good points. They don't make me like the idea any more though
https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1022445.html
I quite like the proposed model for a test championship here. The only worry I have is that it will be manipulated to ensure the big 3 never ever get relegated to Div 2.
https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1022445.html
I quite like the proposed model for a test championship here. The only worry I have is that it will be manipulated to ensure the big 3 never ever get relegated to Div 2.
Test cricket is back!
First test against Zimbabwe starts tonight, live coverage on Sky Sport 4 from about 7.15pm.
We have a few test matches coming up too. No limited overs world cups to distract from the real thing I suppose.
I know nothing about this Zim side but I assume they suck?
Yep, thats my plan, watch the 1st session, listen to the radio commentary while in bed till I drop off, then watch the highlights. Just looking forward to having some NZ test cricket to watch.
We have a few test matches coming up too. No limited overs world cups to distract from the real thing I suppose.
It's awesome, I love it.
Looking forward to the tour of India, would like to see how Sodhi goes in test-matches after the success he had in T20 World Cup over there. Plus it's always on at a good time to watch here.
I know nothing about this Zim side but I assume they suck?
Hard to really know, but I imagine they'll struggle. Apparently the track is really slow, so will be interested to see how our spinners go, Sodhi had a very good warm-up match against Zim A.
And if the Zimbes keep getting out caught off their helmets from Wagner, the odds will continue to fall!
The Black Caps have just won the first Test match vs Zimbabwe. New Zealand won by an innings and 117 runs. The second and final Test match begins on Saturday.
Rosco rulz, well done Kane, start of a new era. Wagner gutsy
This has likely been discussed before but I was daydreaming about NZ teams joining Australian teams in a competition to improve both countries cricket performances and domestic crowds.
I think adding 3 teams from NZ would be something very good for both countries, possibly from here a Northern (ND/AK), Central (CD,WN) and Southern (CA, OT) to join all of their competitions.
Australia are in a bit of a glut at the moment (other than the success of the BBL) and New Zealand's current rise in the world game may add extra interest to people on both sides of the Tasman in the domestic One Dayers and First Class games while exposing them to a wider range of players, strategies and pitch types.
The cons of course are the travel, a lesser competition here due to losing players to the Trans-Tasman comp, will it actually increase viewer number AND do Aussie really need us?
We of course would benefit hugely from the competition - I believe any loss of provincial players would open up more contract spots in the Provincial teams and therefore more players with First Class exposure so this is not a bad thing although we would likely see a decrease in attendances at those provincial games (but more crowds at the trans-tasman games with BBL and Sheffield Shield games played here).
Thoughts?
Also, about pitches...wouldn't it be great if each provincial team had pitches set up for different strengths? It would expose our players to a wider range of playing surfaces before making NZ A or Blackcaps sides and then encountering similar pitches overseas.
Interesting concept thrown out there. I just hope the Cricket side from here would get treated better by their Aussie organisers than the Nix do.
AND do Aussie really need us?
I think this is the big kicker.
Because of Rugby Union and Rugby League it would appear that NZ and Aus comps are great for both nations, but based on the Nix struggles and the Netball issues of the sports deciding us being in their comp doesn't bring enough value, Id find it hard for Cricket Australia to see any value in us being in their comp.
I think it would help us, and I think if they did it right it could be a superb comp that NZ and Aus supporters would enjoy, but I could easily see in a couple of years the whole "what value does NZ bring to our sport" comp, especially with Aus being so dominant.
AND do Aussie really need us?
I think this is the big kicker.
Because of Rugby Union and Rugby League it would appear that NZ and Aus comps are great for both nations, but based on the Nix struggles and the Netball issues of the sports deciding us being in their comp doesn't bring enough value, Id find it hard for Cricket Australia to see any value in us being in their comp.
I think it would help us, and I think if they did it right it could be a superb comp that NZ and Aus supporters would enjoy, but I could easily see in a couple of years the whole "what value does NZ bring to our sport" comp, especially with Aus being so dominant.
I think that the timing of doing it now is right - we're stronger than we have ever been and most Aussie supporters I know are in agreement with me and there are arguably at least 3 Blackcaps that would make the current Aussie test side (Williamson, Watling, Boult).
But yup, we'll get questioned if it is worth it in a few years time, especially if we can't maintain our competitiveness. Maybe a test run of NZ teams in the BBL would be a good start - that competition is better than the IPL in my opinion and crowds have been great.
Hell a Super 12 where Aus had 5 teams, NZ had 4 and SA had 3 would be even more awesome, get some really good variety in there both in players and grounds.
I just don't have faith in Aus Cricket looking past the short term to see the value it has like in other sports. As in I see them acting more like the FFA than the ARU
Hell a Super 12 where Aus had 5 teams, NZ had 4 and SA had 3 would be even more awesome, get some really good variety in there both in players and grounds.
I just don't have faith in Aus Cricket looking past the short term to see the value it has like in other sports. As in I see them acting more like the FFA than the ARU
It's the difference in needs really - the ARU needs NZ Rugby more than we need them and vice versa in the Football, League and Netball.
