Cricket: NZ vs England
-
@bayimports Raval's fine at the top of the order. Couldn't care less if he doesn't kick on, as long as he sees off the new ball especially as it took years and years post Richardson to find 2 guys capable of doing it, and no, our options at the top of the order are very very limited in domestic cricket, so bad that Guptill and Rutherford remain in contention should injuries hit.
-
@African-Monkey said in Cricket: NZ vs England:
@bayimports Raval's fine at the top of the order. Couldn't care less if he doesn't kick on, as long as he sees off the new ball especially as it took years and years post Richardson to find 2 guys capable of doing it, and no, our options at the top of the order are very very limited in domestic cricket, so bad that Guptill and Rutherford remain in contention should injuries hit.
He is only fine if the alternatives are shit, we shouldn't always accept mediocrity. However if Guppy and Hamish are next in line..then yes cupboard is still bare.
-
@bayimports Bit unfair on Raval to describe him as mediocre but we'll agree to disagree on that on. He's definitely up to test standard as an opening bat, something that has been a rarity in NZ cricket in the 21st century and plays a big part in making the middle order's job a lot easier.
-
@bayimports It's always a risk to just look at stats - because you then see the guy live and he's got some outlandish technique that's never likely to work - but, this guy Henry Cooper is fashioning a decent record.
Henry Cooper Profile - Cricket Player New Zealand | Stats, Records, Video
Read about Henry Cooper cricket player from New Zealand profile, stats, rankings, records, videos, photos at ESPNcricinfo
George Worker somewhere in the mix, but never compelling.
Devon Conway may be able to open, but he doesn't qualify for NZ till next September.
Will Young might compete with Devon to replace Rosscoe.
-
@African-Monkey I do agree with what you are suggesting is integral as a role. I am just not convinced he is that good. Don't get me wrong, I would happily take his 44 average on home soil, (in fact that is I concede that is a great test standard), I just hope he can improve his away form assuming he is picked for the Australian tour, as that is really when we will need to see off the new ball!
I do agree it is one position in the batting order we do struggle find players in recent years to fulfil. Thats why I asked if anyone coming through. Back up players suggest he must be pretty safe in his position.
-
@Chris-B Worker's more of a limited overs player, doesn't have the technique to succeed in test cricket. It's always a bad ploy to go into test matches with makeshift openers. We used to try it all the time and it never worked. It's a specialist position.
@bayimports I think Raval will go ok in Aussie as the extra bounce over there will allow him to leave a lot more and he does prefer to defend on the crease and Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc prefer bowling shorter. The Aussies will want to drag him on the front foot as he's less comfortable defending there against pace.
-
That was just silly from Raval. He didn't look in any trouble out there either until he started playing suicidal slogs. Dumb, dumb batting after working so hard.
Still, plenty of runs to be made out there with Leach virtually bowling very slow medium pace with the ball doing nothing off the track. Hopefully our middle order apply themselves here and not give silly wickets away especially to this very average Jack Leach.
-
@African-Monkey don’t know what was going through Ravals head when he started playing those slogs.
He wasn’t scoring quickly but it didn’t matter with Williamson cruising along at a decent rate as he does. -
@African-Monkey Yeah - I'm not a fan of trying to manufacture an opener.
But, Jeet hasn't been particularly productive in 2018/2019. Averaging 26 and just one century (vs Bangladesh) and one 50 from 18 innings.
I guess I'm a bit less optimistic about his prospects in Australia - there's not many people who go there and pad their average!
-
@Chris-B said in Cricket: NZ vs England:
not many people who go there and pad their average
David Warner does
-
@mariner4life Touche!
-
@Donsteppa said in Cricket: NZ vs England:
Blithering stupidity!
It is very frustrating watching top order batsmen get caught in the outfield!
Rossco falling into T20 mode?!
-
@Chris-B said in Cricket: NZ vs England:
@Donsteppa said in Cricket: NZ vs England:
Blithering stupidity!
It is very frustrating watching top order batsmen get caught in the outfield!
Rossco falling into T20 mode?!
Ross Taylor, in a test, caught at deep midwicket. Fuck, I've never seen that before...
Did he look at the toe of his bat as he trudged off?
-
that's a couple that spat up off a length, pitch coming to life? or a bad read?
-
Bit of a fightback so far. Only one wicket lost today and we've got the good Colin batting currently. We're still 77 runs behind so I think we need another 50 odd from this partnership before we can start to feel like we're ahead in the test, but momentum is with us.
