England tour of New Zealand (3 Tests, winter 2024)

[Aislabie]

Three spinners in New Zealand, no proper keeper in the squad and Jacob Bethell (average 25.44, no centuries, strike rate 48) as the lone spare batter. I'm in awe.

 

[ddrap14]

View attachment 299523

Three spinners in New Zealand, no proper keeper in the squad and Jacob Bethell (average 25.44, no centuries, strike rate 48) as the lone spare batter. I'm in awe.

Big "nobody else wants to come 28 hours for this" energy

 

[blockerdave]

How is Bethell’s ceiling?

 

[Aislabie]

How is Bethell’s ceiling?

 

[icyman]

Certainly one to look out for. With the NZ series win in India, there's a possibility of them going to the WTC Final if they win vs England(plus other results to go their way). Though, gotta admit- a tad surprised by the English squad composition here. Any idea why Jamie Smith isnt in the mix of things for this tour?

 

[Paranoid Kendroid]

Any idea why Jamie Smith isnt in the mix of things for this tour?

Paternity leave

 

[wasteyouryouth]

Had no idea England were playing a warm up. Jordan Cox has broke a finger and is out of the series. Pope kept in the second innings.

 

[Supreme General]

 

[icyman]

Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, name is good, but the trophy sure is ugly.

 

[Supreme General]

Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, name is good, but the trophy sure is ugly.

View attachment 300262

But it means much more than any other as it is made out of the wood taken from the bats of each of the two batters used to score hundreds against the other team

 

[icyman]

Thoughts behind the same are good, but the design really- it is quite sad!

 

[wasteyouryouth]

View attachment 300261

They did it. Those crazy bastards did it.

Probably difficult to get a keeper out there on two days notice. Still, exciting opportunity for Bethell.

 

[Aislabie]

Probably difficult to get a keeper out there on two days notice.

Ollie Robinson the Keeper didn't have a valid passport. Genuinely.

 

[ddrap14]

Ollie Robinson the Keeper didn't have a valid passport. Genuinely.

To be fair, he'd not be prepared for Test 1 anyway - he'd be playing the day after he got in, and the same time period after my (shorter) Chicago to Brisbane trip, I tried to eat sauce with a fork because I was so tired that I forgot how to human

 

[wasteyouryouth]

Ollie Robinson the Keeper didn't have a valid passport. Genuinely.

Same reason I had to turn them down