New Zealand Tour of Zimbabwe 2025 - 2 Tests

[Aislabie]

First Test starts in 15 minutes, so we probably should have a thread

 

[Paranoid Kendroid]

No debut for Matt Fisher. Plus bringing Nicholls in rather than some youngster.

Good news for Zimbabwe. Brendan Taylor will be available from 2nd Test.

 

[Aislabie]

"Henry Nicholls has fought his way back into the side on weight of runs" - 176 first-class runs @ 16.00 with a best of 42 in his county stint.

I know he had a good NZ domestic season, but this should really be disqualifying.

 

[Paranoid Kendroid]

View attachment 306810
"Henry Nicholls has fought his way back into the side on weight of runs" - 176 first-class runs @ 16.00 with a best of 42 in his county stint.

I know he had a good NZ domestic season, but this should really be disqualifying.

The Don of Southport getting ready to break Mulder's record of being the bigger Zimbabwe basher

 

[Aislabie]

No debut for Matt Fisher. Plus bringing Nicholls in rather than some youngster.

If I'd been picking a NZ side for this game, I'd have gone with something like:

1. Tom Latham Will Young in
2. Rhys Mariu (debut)
3. Rachin Ravindra
4. Nick Kelly (debut) or Tom Bruce (debut)
5. Daryl Mitchell
6. Mitchell Hay (debut)
7. Mitchell Santner
8. Brett Hampton (debut)
9. Matt Henry
10. Matt Fisher (debut)
11. Will O'Rourke

Still keep that experienced core in there, but this isn't a WTC series so I find it baffling that they've not tried any young players.

EDIT: bloody hell, Hampton is older than I thought

 

[DuneTiger]

Unless I'm thick, there is absolutely nowhere to watch this in Australia

 

[ddrap14]

View attachment 306810
"Henry Nicholls has fought his way back into the side on weight of runs" - 176 first-class runs @ 16.00 with a best of 42 in his county stint.

I know he had a good NZ domestic season, but this should really be disqualifying.

The 215 against plumbers and uni students did it

 

[BasketballHooper]

Unless I'm thick, there is absolutely nowhere to watch this in Australia

Use a VPN

 

[Aislabie]

The 215 against plumbers and uni students did it

Fun bit of trivia - Lancashire Seconds used 10 different bowlers in that innings and 14 different bowlers in the whole match

 

[Viper.]

If I'd been picking a NZ side for this game, I'd have gone with something like:

1. Tom Latham Will Young in
2. Rhys Mariu (debut)
3. Rachin Ravindra
4. Nick Kelly (debut) or Tom Bruce (debut)
5. Daryl Mitchell
6. Mitchell Hay (debut)
7. Mitchell Santner
8. Brett Hampton (debut)
9. Matt Henry
10. Matt Fisher (debut)
11. Will O'Rourke

Still keep that experienced core in there, but this isn't a WTC series so I find it baffling that they've not tried any young players.

EDIT: bloody hell, Hampton is older than I thought

I agree. Rhys Mariu should have gotten a look in, as they need to develop that next opener and he's the perfect candidate. I did hear he was in rough form in the NZ-A tours, but should not be much of a hindrance.

Nick Kelly should have been selected if not him, though old (30s), is a better fit than Nicholls, had an amazing domestic season and is just getting NZ caps so he should be a good pick. Bruce a bit too old for that

Mitchell Hay should have undoubtedly been in the squad regardless of who is fit, as backup keeper and confidently one who is going to have to displace Blundell as soon as possible. Unfortunately they'll wait till Blundell finally hits a once-in-a-blue-moon score and persist further with him.

I've no clue who Hampton is except I know his face, with the cap and shades on, because Cricbuzz for some reason have uploaded his photo alone among all the random NZ uncapped players.

Logan van Beek was top wicket taker in Plunket Shield, I wonder if the Netherlands are going to lose him now.

 

[Paranoid Kendroid]

Perfect signs for New Zealand to replace some of the oldies / non-performers.