The squad for the Central Stags, NZ's representatives in the Champions League T20, is as follows:
Jamie How(capt), Doug Bracewell, Brendon Diamanti, Bevan Griggs, Peter Ingram, Mitchell McClenaghan, Michael Mason, Adam Milne, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Brad Patton, Seth Rance, Mathew Sinclair, Tim Weston, Ben Wheeler, George Worker.
The most notable absentees, of course, are Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram. Taylor is committed to representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore (much to Mark Richardson's chagrin), Oram is battling to be fit for the home season ODIs. While this tournament could have provided the ideal stage for Big Jake to rediscover his waning powers as an allrounder, Taylor's absence is much the bigger dent to CD's hopes of being competitive. The injury to their overseas player, Graham Napier, is another blow.
It's difficult to see the under-powered Stags making a big impact in the tournament; Otago had a reasonable side (on paper) in last year's edition, and were well beaten in their two appearances. This time, there are four games to be played in the group stages, so at least we'll get a chance to get to know the participating teams a bit better over the course of the tourney. CD are up against the Chennai Super Kings, Victoria, The Warriors (South Africa) and Wayamba. It's daunting opposition all the way, with the Wayamba game providing a slightly greater chance of a win than the others, I guess.
I've highlighted the squad members with international experience in bold, and all but one are NZ discards. Jamie How and Mathew Sinclair are mostly remembered as test players, but have surprisingly decent records at the limited overs level, so they could play their way back into the selectors' minds.
Then there's the anti-footwork Peter Ingram who's been little more than a travelling curiosity in his time with the Black Caps so far. Still, he's more of a 'hitter' than either Sinclair or How. Brendon Diamanti, who played a couple of international games in 2009, potentially offers some big hitting down the order though from what I can remember his bowling is no great shakes. Michael Mason is a decent pace bowler with conditions in his favour, but fairly hittable otherwise.
Actually, the conditions could well be a boost for the bowlers. I'm looking forward to watching left-armer Mitchell McClenaghan, who is apparently pretty fast and gave the touring England Lions side a tough time last year, although he hasn't played a lot of first class cricket. Likewise, bowling allrounders Ben Wheeler and Doug Bracewell - graduates from the under-19 side - have been spoken of as decent prospects but are extremely raw at the same time. I don't know much about the rest of the squad.
Overall, it looks unlikely the Stags will crash this party. The opportunity to see some young contenders and the hope of an upset will keep me watching anyway.
Top Cricket From The Second Tier
13 years ago
5 comments:
Sinclair has a good record in tests and one-day cricket in SA. Mason on certain SA wickets may do well.
Stags are going to struggle to make runs without Taylor/Oram.
Would be nice to see them do a bit more, but can't see them even winning a match.
@greyblazer: Sinclair has been under-utilised in limited overs cricket actually. He's better in situations where he doesn't have to think or worry too much, and he often put too much pressure on himself in tests.
@Jarrod: Thanks for stopping by! Yeah not much grounds for optimism although I have hopes for the Wayamba match.
Well I am for the underdogs!
But how come Taylor is playing for the RCB and not the Central Stags? Who decides this?
Sorry, I know I'm quite uninformed.
I believe there's a clause in the IPL contracts for overseas players, which gives the IPL side first rights to decide whether they want to pick the player or not. Apparently the IPL side must "buy the player off" their home domestic side, so Bangalore paid NZC 200,000 dollars for Taylor.
Bangalore have also chosen Cameron White which means he won't be turning out for Victoria. The Vics however have a pretty strong side so they won't be too affected by it.
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