Aotearoa vs Pakistan: Test Series Preview
The summer of Blackcaps domination in Aotearoa may continue tomorrow as the kiwis host Pakistan.
The summer of Blackcaps domination in Aotearoa may continue tomorrow as the kiwis host Pakistan.
Having dispatched West Indies in both T20I and Test cricket without much resistance, Aotearoa's Blackcaps rode the wave of a more challenging Pakistan outfit and at this stage of the T20I sorting period, that's exactly what the bush doctor ordered.
Some White Ferns made their first Hallyburton Johnstone Shield appearances over the weekend leading into Super Smash action later on this week and while Wellington Blaze unleashed 14-year-old leggy Kate Chandler, Chandler is one of many young kiwi wahine dominating Aotearoa's HBJ Shield.
As we are seeing every time the Aotearoa Blackcaps play a bit of cricket, the seeds of change planted last summer continue to blossom into fresh foliage.
The Aotearoa Blackcaps take on Pakistan in the second of three T20I series in Aotearoa this summer and while the net being cast far and wide is all good under the umbrella of preparing for two T20 World Cups; holy guacamole things are a bit strange.
One of the joys of being part of Aotearoa is enjoying a Blackcaps team steamrolling their opposition, in Test cricket, in the summer months.
Every summer in Aotearoa, there is a batsman or bowler who emerges to be the undisputed 'best that no one talks about' or otherwise known as the underground king and so far this summer it is looking as though Canterbury's Ken McClure is this geezer.
Another Test in Aotearoa and another dose of Blackcaps at their best in kiwi conditions - chur Aotearoa.
Canterbury wahine are cruising at the top of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield ladder are two wins over the weekend saw them maintain their unbeaten start to Aotearoa's 50-over women's competition.
Plenty of funky and lovely things happened as Aotearoa's Blackcaps defeated West Indies in the first Test, although the absence of a few lads spiced things up in a variety of different ways.
"Umm, aw yeah, look, uh firstly it's for the team ... haha it always is ya know".
With no kiwis in the Women's Big Bash League final, Suzie Bates battling shoulder issues and enticing Hallyburton Johnstone Shield performances to start this summer, it feels as though the funk that has swept over the men's kiwi cricket landscape is here to shake things up across both the lads and ladies sides of kiwi cricket.
If you've dabbled in deep excursions into the Aotearoa cricket mangroves, this summer appears to be the perfect period to take that to a nek level as there are all sorts of enticing yarns to be had.
Rain? Chur. Hamish Bennett falling over when he bowls? Chur. Mellow West Indies? Chur. Popped knee caps (plural)? Chur. Impressive performances with funky T20I 1st 11 implications? Chur. Bit of a wild couple of days in the Blackcaps T20I realm.
Tomorrow evening begins a new era of cricket fandom in Aotearoa. A most tradition-minded of sports enters the new age of live internet streaming as Spark Sport take charge of their first proper broadcast.
Blackcaps eve. Emerging from the long night of 2020's soul, Aotearoa's Blackcaps will spark up their summer with T20I fixtures that finally have a heavy dose of context.
The opening weekend of Aotearoa's Hallyburton Johnstone Shield competition saw Central Hinds, Canterbury Magicians and Northern Districts all grab two wins as women's cricket in Aotearoa appears to be in the midst of the same youngster takeover that has been happening in the men's game.
In a couple days the Women's Big Bash League finals will be played and everything has worked out nicely for Sophie Devine's Perth Scorchers and the Brisbane Heat featuring Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green as they'll be playing in different semi-finals.
Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat are perched at the top of the Women's Big Bash League, quietly making up for the downbuzz absence of Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates.
Despite most of Aotearoa's Blackcaps Test squad playing in the Plunket Shield to start this summer, the squad features blokes coming into Test cricket from all different angles.