The Silver Fern

@MN5 Let's not get carried away.

Brooks has played 6 matches in Pakistan, 5 in NZ - against teams that were in the main off their game and the rest at home.

Yes he looks the goods, but it's very early days yet. In this latest series alone, he probably had as many chances as Loosebuschange has had against India

@Catogrande said in Nomination - Ferner most like to have a beer with:

the dodgy ones

Better book a bigger venue

@Virgil Enough already!

He's going - alright

@middleman They were doing it last year. Dropped 7 points to Sheffield and Burnley, but yeah I would hope we smack Southampton.

Fuck! Fulham have the Saints in the next round. We're doomed.

After taking 6 from Spurs, Brighton, Arsenal, Liverpool it would be very Fulhamish to drop points to the bottom club - we did it last year. and our two worst performances this season have been against Wolves and Ipswich.

The last thing we needed was a new Mgr bounce.

@MN5 said in Australia v India:

I thought you’d have better taste after staying with me in NZ

I think that's what's called an oxymoron...

We really don't need stats to tell us what is staring us in the face and was oh so predictable.

Timee is a busted flush and has been for a couple of years. He's tarnished his record by selfishly sticking around and could conceivably have cost us this series.

Contrast his world farewell tour with the way Wags was unceremoniously cut adrift.

@Cyclops said in Black Caps vs England Series:

I think we won a series in England before the WTC which I think is only our second away win in England?).

Third. 86 and 99 the other two

Matt fucking Henry

@LABCAT said in Black Caps First Eleven for hall of fame.:

Where McCullum probably makes it into the our hall of fame is for his leadership and the change of attitude he brought to the team.

Still don't think it makes him one of our eight greatest male cricketers of all time

Yes he led us to the final in 2015 He also lasted three balls in the match. Id and ego.

@MN5 said in Black Caps First Eleven for hall of fame.:

But then your point about it not changing a match like a triple ton stands too.

Actually no.

Ajaz's 10 fer didn't change that match, but Lakers certainly did. The other England bowlers - Statham, Lock. Bailey so no slouches, bowled 90+ overs in that match against a decent Australian batting side without taking a wicket. Laker definitely bowled England to victory. Kumble also played a significant role in India's victory over Pakistan. Sure, other bowlers might have stepped up, but you could say the same for a lot of the batting records.

The bowling is a small sample but one definitely won the match, one went a long way towards the same and one had no real influence.

A lot more triples but if I could be arsed I'm sure you'd see a similar pattern. Sure, Baz's innings saved the match for us but just taking one example - chosen just for you. Gayle scored halfish of the Windies 700 odd against SA, but SA had already posted nearly 600 on an absolute road. There were only 30 overs possible in SA's second innings before the match finished during which time SA lost one for 127. The triple was a nice statistic for Gayle and padded his average but it had a negligible effect on the games outcome.

The 10 fer is rare for a reason. Absolutely McCullum is a NZ great but in the top 8 male players of all time. Not for me. All the other male players would have got into a World XI or second XI at their peak. Baz didn't ever get close to that level.

Is it @rembrandt that sporadically posts 20 or so incredibly dark memes and then disappears off the thread again?

Anyway - that guy.

TBH if you haven't put in at least a 20-year shift then you don't count

@Smudge and to think I remember you when you were running around in spandex

@MN5 and a 10fer has happened 3 times in 150 years. 300 - 32 times. I'd say - at the risk of going all Thomas Aquinas - that represents a far greater achievement based on the rarity of it occurring

@booboo Well it's a far greater achievement than a 300

@Billy-Tell said in EPL 2024/2025:

Reckon Chelsea are a good chance to challenge Liverpool for the top spot.

They'll get theirs on Boxing Day

Ethan Blackadder's calf

“The first intake is always the most straight-forward as it includes some players who essentially pick themselves, they stand out that much,” said Payne.

Disagree. Didn't know about the 4 women criteria. Never heard of Jackie Lord but 55 wickets @19.07 from 15 tests. What's she doing Thursday?

I have real issues with McCullum's inclusion. Yes, he was good, but it seems like a vibe selection. He certainly doesn't pick himself IMO. Granted he has the 300, but Fleming would probably have got their earlier if he hadn't put the team ahead of personal glory. Does that mean he would have been included? Is Ajaz going to get in for his 10fer?

Lydia Ko

Reasoning - Fantastic Year. Bit of a redemption arc. Made the Hall of Fame. Always really classy. Had a fantastic fortnight winning the Paris Gold and The Open and celebrated by going on a two-week golfing holiday.