2022/23 Plunket Shield: Second Stanza Notebook
Plunket Shield cricketing is loitering around Blackcaps Test antics and recent performances are aligned with general Blackcaps Test themes.
Plunket Shield cricketing is loitering around Blackcaps Test antics and recent performances are aligned with general Blackcaps Test themes.
Wellington and Canterbury will play the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final on Saturday in a repeat of the Super Smash final, also serving as a tremendous farewell to Amy Satterhwaite.
People who don’t like Test cricket will often say things like: how can you play for five full days and still end up with a draw? The answer to that is because sometimes, very rarely, perhaps only once in a lifetime, you might end up with a finish such as that
For all the questions kiwis have had over the past few weeks with regards to Aotearoa's Test team, a splash of magic at the Basin Reserve has lightened the load.
Despite new coach Ben Sawyer ushering in fresh vibes for the White Ferns, they missed out on the T20 World Cup semi-finals for the third tournament in a row.
However folks want to slice up this Blackcaps pizza, one would be wise to lower expectations in the Test arena.
HBJ Shield served up another double-whammy of cricket last weekend with Auckland and Wellington grabbing wins on both days, while Canterbury and Central split their weekend series.
Canterbury Magicians are the only women's Super Smash team to interrupt the Wellington Blaze dynasty and their second championship in three seasons came with a young twist.
Aotearoa's Blackcaps had their first innings propped up by a delightful knock of 138 from Tom Blundell, dragging the kiwis back into a contest against England.
Northern Brave have won back to back Super Smash championships, defeating Canterbury in both finals and delivering a bunch of funky storylines.
Last summer Northern defeated Canterbury in the Men's Super Smash final and these two teams are locked in for another final after Northern bumped Otago out in Thursday's elimination final.
Canterbury defeated Otago in the Women's Super Smash elimination final on Thursday, setting up a home final for the Cantabs against Wellington.
Canterbury and Otago stormed up the Super Smash ladder with four wins in their last five games, putting Canterbury straight into the big donnie final while Otago host Northern.
After losing both games against Otago last weekend, Canterbury wahine will be eager to bounce back in their Super Smash elimination final on Thursday in Dunedin.
Not much about this summer has felt normal for folks across Aotearoa and as the sun battles pesky rain, the first dose of Test cricket this summer arrives with Blackcaps hosting England at Bay Oval.
Wellington Blaze have won four of the past five Super Smash championships and are 8-0 this season, undefeated across their last 18 games.
Papatuanuku and Ranginui dominated this weekend's action of Men's Super Smash, winning two games to leave Canterbury and Otago with victories over Central.
Papatuanuku and Ranginui dominated this weekend's action of Women's Super Smash, winning two games to leave Canterbury and Otago with victories over Central.
Ahead of their tour of Pakistan, Blackcaps made a few tweaks to provide a fresh Test and ODI group. This freshen up was part of a wider Blackcaps pivot as a few lads retired and others gave up their contracts to drift off into T20 oblivion.
Joseph Parker had a decent wee victory on the weekend. The kiwi heavyweight took on Englishman Jack Massey in his latest bout and took him out over ten rounds via a comfortable unanimous points decision