Tagged with: Cricket
The Blackcaps were 127/4 when BJ Watling strode to the crease at Mount Maunganui, trailing by over 200 runs in the first innings. When he was dismissed more than five sessions later the Blackcaps had an enormous lead and would go on to bowl England out in the final session of the match for a victory by an innings and 65 runs.
The retirement of Alastair Cook has gotten plenty of response over in England and around the world, Jimmy Anderson was even moved to tears talking about his old mate. And amidst all the glowing references we were treated to one last masterclass in Cookie’s final innings.
It was almost the Miracle of Malahide. Ireland’s first ever Test match and after being bowled out for 130 and forced to follow on, they somehow recovered to set Pakistan a half-decent target as Kevin O’Brien scored a superb 118 in the second innings.
Richie Benaud used to have a small list of rules for cricket commentary. One of the all time great voices, mimicked and parodied almost as much as he was beloved, when Richie The Great Man spoke, people listened.
The Blackcaps’ last day of Test cricket was on March 29. Their next day of Test cricket is on December 1. Thanks to the odd lack of a winter tour that’ll make it 246 days in between consecutive Test matches for New Zealand.
Jeetan Patel made his return to represent Aotearoa, with the aim of adding his English experience to the Blackcaps' Champions Trophy campaign. He didn't play a Champions Trophy game though.
After laying down the situation facing Aotearoa cricket, we make a few changes to the Blackcaps Test and ODI teams. You know that Ross Taylor's gonna be there and he'll play a key role in taking this group forward.
The Champions Trophy wasn't rock-bottom, it was the culmination of a summer that was nothing but madness. So where to now for the Blackcaps?
Kieran Noema-Barnett opened the bowling, Matt Quinn had a niggly back spasm and James Franklin went back to back with crappy scores. Welcome to the Kiwi County Tour!
One Blackcap was fantastic, Ross Taylor, Tim Southee and Trent Boult were solid, Guppy was out of form and the rest is a culmination of a terrible lack of clarity and planning.
James Franklin was a lonely figure on the Kiwi County Tour, he's among the best all-rounders in County cricket though so no dramas. And could Lord Jeetz have a young gun waiting to clip his wings at Warwickshire?
The Blackcaps got touched up by England and Luke Ronchi returned to standard service, unfortunately we've also got other blokes taking on Rochi's consistency.
Kane Williamson has started the 2017 Champions Trophy like a beast and the Blackcaps looked good against Australia. Now for the Poms.
Corey Anderson will need to be smacking the ball and dishing up quality left-arm seam for the Blackcaps to beat Australia in their first Champions Trophy game. Actually, they'll probably need Anderson to be better than he was before.
The Women's World Cup is lurking on the horizon and Rachel Priest leads a trio of cricketers who might not get the attention of our superstars, they will be just as important though.
Neil Wagner isn't quite as good as Kumar Sangakkara is with the willow, he smacked a half-century for Essex though and looked kinda like Sangakkara in doing so.
Luke Ronchi top-scored for the Blackcaps against India, which doesn't ease concerns but does show hope for him as Martin Guptill's opening partner. And what do we do with all these all-rounders?
Tom Latham, Neil Broom and Ross Taylor finished the tri-series in style, but while the Blackcaps lost to Bangladesh, England and South Africa did precisely what the kiwis haven't done during this series.
James Franklin went toe-to-toe with the legend Kumar Sangakkara, while the Essex boys (Neil Wagner/Matt Quinn) played their part in a big win.
Ross Taylor and Tom Latham are preparing for Champions Trophy cricket by scoring plenty of runs as the Blackcaps handled their business against Ireland.