Thanks as ever Dylan. Fascinating, if perhaps unsurprising, to hear about Stephen Caspar's research. The issue of CTE just got personal for me, a close friend has been diagnosed with it. He's 62 and it's not looking good - the deterioration in his mental capacity is already quite marked. It's just heartbreaking for him and his family.
Injuries are a fact of life but Scott Kuggeleijn? Seriously? Very poor from NZC.
If not Kuggeleijn then who else? He's a reasonable white ball bowler isn't he? Maybe hoping he could translate that into pink ball? I don't hold out much hope for the test match going longer than 3 days though. Our batting may be ok but bowling is looking weaker and weaker.
The way the Women have lost is disappointing, maybe Wayne Smith needs to be brought out of retirement?
I just saw that. You, have, and I am glad you have. I have this caveat. I apologise, it is quite long, but I do hope you take the time to read it:
I think you could have done and should do more, personally. You're among the top writers and thinkers on the game in this country. Your opinion does matter, and the subject, beyond this particular example, is globally significant far beyond cricket. You're also one of the few people well placed to push NZC, the selectors, and coach and captain to respond to the matter. On the whole, local journalists/pundits/however-we-would-describe-the-multi-headed-hydra-that-is-the-BYC have been noticeably silent about it, while it has been picked up abroad. Yes, we've been here before in 2017 and 2019, and 2021, and it wasn't sufficiently confronted by NZ media then either.
As human beings it behoves all of us to make moral judgements — we do it all the time, with who we are friends with, do business with, invite into our homes, the products we buy — we can't escape it just because the subject is so severely uncomfortable. NZC was far more willing to condemn Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell for actions that pale in significance and were in the main only self-harming.
Whatever we term it, be it toxic masculinity, male sexual entitlement, rape culture, the terminology, the subject is seriously uncomfortable. As heterosexual men, it's probably the most uncomfortable subject out there. Along with the wider culture we live in, it forces us to examine our own personal histories in a manner that is at the very least confronting, but more regularly, I would say disquieting. For some, if they were to do so really honestly, it might be more troubling still. But as men, we actually need to actively acknowledge and own this issue. It's not a women's issue or a feminist issue. It's male sexual violence, it's us. On an individual level, I don't think it is a culture any of us want to perpetuate, but unless we confront and challenge the matter, that is what we tacitly achieve.
This is the issue that Kuggelijn's selection should be forcing us to confront. NZC, as an organisation collectively, and as human beings individually, failed to respond to it adequately in the past, and they'd almost gotten out of ever having to, with him fading away over the last two years. But we are back here again. And you are in the position to ask these really difficult questions — of NZC; of the team; of the cricket community as a whole; of our society; even of yourself — what does SK's selection say about the culture NZC is willing to support? What message does it give to fans, especially women fans? What does it say to the world about us? And what does the overall hush on the issue in the local media landscape say about us? I wish I could ask those questions of people in the relevant positions, because I want them answered.
Few are beyond redemption, SK is not. But his redemption does not come on the cricket pitch, that isn't where his transgressions took place. They may have begun in private, but they became public, and so his public redemption would demand rehabilitative actions, in public. We've not seen that, nor have we seen it from NZC or anyone associated. Only silence or a refusal to comment.
An ugly and confronting recap: Kuggelijn went to bed with a woman he'd been trying to have sex with for a while. He tried repeatedly to have sex with her that night and she repeatedly said no. He persisted, despite hearing no, which he acknowledges he heard. His persistence pressured the woman into having sex with him when she did not want to. His lawyer called it "reluctant consent" (others might call this coercion). SK blamed her clothes. He told a friend he "cracked it". He later sent the woman a message, apologising.
Regardless of the verdict, this is on the record. It should make us all feel deeply uncomfortable, even disgusted. And it should take some serious rehabilitation. I do not know of any. If this had taken place, and he was going to continue to be a public figure as a representative cricketer, then, we should probably know that it had taken place. There should at minimum be some very public remorse, contrition, and condemnation of his own actions. Aside from the publicity, there has been very little consequence here. We should not be comfortable with that. We should not be comfortable with him being a national representative without it.
A lot of us are angry and really hurt by this selection. I would say that we're probably even more hurt by the largely silent acceptance with which it has been met by people in your position. You have taken on tough subjects before, your work on CTE is amazing. I love so much of your writing — you are a bloody good writer, far better than you'd probably be comfortable admitting to being. Your words touch people, influence them, move them, change people; they matter. And right now we need you to use them and make them matter on this subject.
And Gary Stead praised the man's resilient character.
Well written thoughts, Dominic. Dylan's comments the other day made me reconsider my position of "Kuggeleijn was found not guilty, so should be allowed to go about his life/work", in a way that previous opinion pieces or comments hadn't - perhaps because a lot of the previous criticism had come from women who I perceived were judging him as guilty despite the jury finding otherwise. Maybe that was a dose of wilful ignorance on my part, helped by my relatively privileged middle-aged white guy worldview. I'd also kind of thought that we shouldn't expect sports people to be role models, and that if everybody who'd done something stupid lost their job over it, there wouldn't be many people left working. But in terms of people's actions, there are degrees of stupidity, and then there are things that go well beyond that into clearly harming and traumatising others. Someone doesn't get accused of rape unless they've made some very poor choices along the way. Dominic, I think you've got to the crux of the matter with your observation that there has never been any apparent contrition or work towards redemption. Kuggeleijn can never undo the hurt and damage he's done to that woman - even if it didn't qualify as rape, in a court of law - but he could work to make sure that others don't repeat the same sort of actions. And Dylan, I agree that you are in a position of influence with your writing (thanks!). It's not a case of hounding Kuggeleijn or making his life hell - that helps no-one. But the complete unwillingness by NZC to address the issue shows a lack of proper leadership around a very ugly issue.
Thank you Dominic. The deafening silence about his selection is upsetting - NZC clearly doesn’t care what messages it’s sending with the selection and the referencing of Doug Bracewell and Jesse Ryder is apposite.
It’s very clear the Black Caps have some major issues ..
first is the selection of the BC ..they hadn’t got it right with our the team balance .. they either need strength the batting or make Mitchell into a batter who can bowl. Than with the bowling selections ..what a mess that has been . No way Blair or Scott should be in the test squad .. we need to bring in more youth with the bowling attack, we are in big trouble if we think Henry is the answer .. he is seam up bowler who good in certain conditions .. but he no bond ..
then why are an out of form Henry with the bat .. if he was the next Crowe then maybe yes ..clearly he’s out of form for a long time .. things only going to get worst with the Black Caps in test cricket . We got no world class spinner or all rounder .. our batting lineup age is not young .. we got great batters coming through to put pressure on our current batters ..
We got totally outplay by England in every way .. stokes show up Tim .. on a game plan .. it look like we only had one game plan with the ball ..bowl short at the body ..
next issue want bring up ..is about our greatest golfer is playing in Saudi Arabia this weekend .. I don’t know if that makes people feel rather uncomfortable..but it does for me .. where is the great nz media on this taking a pot shot at Lydia ..the same media will very strong about sports washing with Saudi with fifa only a week ago .. this is the same country who suppressed woman .. etc etc . Yet nothing from the media when our golfing stars play there like fox and Lydia .. certain usa journs took a pot shot at tiger with the whole tampon thing over the weekend..where is the Zoe George on this ..or any media in nz saying this is wrong Lydia ..you are global superstar .. yet you playing in Saudi.. you are better than this ..
The fact that we are selecting Tickner and Kuggeleijn demonstrates that our bowling stocks are poor or the wrong bowlers are being selected. Also Wagner is not the bowler he was. Much of our bowling was almost embarrassing. And our batting was poor, though the pink ball seemed to be mostly responsible for that.
We will do better at the Basin. I don't think Devon should be opening, despite his great record there. He looks like a natural number 4. We have sacrificed many players over the years because we don't seem to be able to produce openers. Can someone please explain why?
Thanks as ever Dylan. Fascinating, if perhaps unsurprising, to hear about Stephen Caspar's research. The issue of CTE just got personal for me, a close friend has been diagnosed with it. He's 62 and it's not looking good - the deterioration in his mental capacity is already quite marked. It's just heartbreaking for him and his family.
Injuries are a fact of life but Scott Kuggeleijn? Seriously? Very poor from NZC.
If not Kuggeleijn then who else? He's a reasonable white ball bowler isn't he? Maybe hoping he could translate that into pink ball? I don't hold out much hope for the test match going longer than 3 days though. Our batting may be ok but bowling is looking weaker and weaker.
The way the Women have lost is disappointing, maybe Wayne Smith needs to be brought out of retirement?
Doug Bracewell for mine.
Because he shouldn't even be in contention for any selection at all and it's really really disappointing that Dylan hasn't touched on it.
I definitely have touched on it. Notes from the (Bay) Oval #1
I just saw that. You, have, and I am glad you have. I have this caveat. I apologise, it is quite long, but I do hope you take the time to read it:
I think you could have done and should do more, personally. You're among the top writers and thinkers on the game in this country. Your opinion does matter, and the subject, beyond this particular example, is globally significant far beyond cricket. You're also one of the few people well placed to push NZC, the selectors, and coach and captain to respond to the matter. On the whole, local journalists/pundits/however-we-would-describe-the-multi-headed-hydra-that-is-the-BYC have been noticeably silent about it, while it has been picked up abroad. Yes, we've been here before in 2017 and 2019, and 2021, and it wasn't sufficiently confronted by NZ media then either.
As human beings it behoves all of us to make moral judgements — we do it all the time, with who we are friends with, do business with, invite into our homes, the products we buy — we can't escape it just because the subject is so severely uncomfortable. NZC was far more willing to condemn Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell for actions that pale in significance and were in the main only self-harming.
Whatever we term it, be it toxic masculinity, male sexual entitlement, rape culture, the terminology, the subject is seriously uncomfortable. As heterosexual men, it's probably the most uncomfortable subject out there. Along with the wider culture we live in, it forces us to examine our own personal histories in a manner that is at the very least confronting, but more regularly, I would say disquieting. For some, if they were to do so really honestly, it might be more troubling still. But as men, we actually need to actively acknowledge and own this issue. It's not a women's issue or a feminist issue. It's male sexual violence, it's us. On an individual level, I don't think it is a culture any of us want to perpetuate, but unless we confront and challenge the matter, that is what we tacitly achieve.
This is the issue that Kuggelijn's selection should be forcing us to confront. NZC, as an organisation collectively, and as human beings individually, failed to respond to it adequately in the past, and they'd almost gotten out of ever having to, with him fading away over the last two years. But we are back here again. And you are in the position to ask these really difficult questions — of NZC; of the team; of the cricket community as a whole; of our society; even of yourself — what does SK's selection say about the culture NZC is willing to support? What message does it give to fans, especially women fans? What does it say to the world about us? And what does the overall hush on the issue in the local media landscape say about us? I wish I could ask those questions of people in the relevant positions, because I want them answered.
Few are beyond redemption, SK is not. But his redemption does not come on the cricket pitch, that isn't where his transgressions took place. They may have begun in private, but they became public, and so his public redemption would demand rehabilitative actions, in public. We've not seen that, nor have we seen it from NZC or anyone associated. Only silence or a refusal to comment.
An ugly and confronting recap: Kuggelijn went to bed with a woman he'd been trying to have sex with for a while. He tried repeatedly to have sex with her that night and she repeatedly said no. He persisted, despite hearing no, which he acknowledges he heard. His persistence pressured the woman into having sex with him when she did not want to. His lawyer called it "reluctant consent" (others might call this coercion). SK blamed her clothes. He told a friend he "cracked it". He later sent the woman a message, apologising.
Regardless of the verdict, this is on the record. It should make us all feel deeply uncomfortable, even disgusted. And it should take some serious rehabilitation. I do not know of any. If this had taken place, and he was going to continue to be a public figure as a representative cricketer, then, we should probably know that it had taken place. There should at minimum be some very public remorse, contrition, and condemnation of his own actions. Aside from the publicity, there has been very little consequence here. We should not be comfortable with that. We should not be comfortable with him being a national representative without it.
A lot of us are angry and really hurt by this selection. I would say that we're probably even more hurt by the largely silent acceptance with which it has been met by people in your position. You have taken on tough subjects before, your work on CTE is amazing. I love so much of your writing — you are a bloody good writer, far better than you'd probably be comfortable admitting to being. Your words touch people, influence them, move them, change people; they matter. And right now we need you to use them and make them matter on this subject.
And Gary Stead praised the man's resilient character.
Well written thoughts, Dominic. Dylan's comments the other day made me reconsider my position of "Kuggeleijn was found not guilty, so should be allowed to go about his life/work", in a way that previous opinion pieces or comments hadn't - perhaps because a lot of the previous criticism had come from women who I perceived were judging him as guilty despite the jury finding otherwise. Maybe that was a dose of wilful ignorance on my part, helped by my relatively privileged middle-aged white guy worldview. I'd also kind of thought that we shouldn't expect sports people to be role models, and that if everybody who'd done something stupid lost their job over it, there wouldn't be many people left working. But in terms of people's actions, there are degrees of stupidity, and then there are things that go well beyond that into clearly harming and traumatising others. Someone doesn't get accused of rape unless they've made some very poor choices along the way. Dominic, I think you've got to the crux of the matter with your observation that there has never been any apparent contrition or work towards redemption. Kuggeleijn can never undo the hurt and damage he's done to that woman - even if it didn't qualify as rape, in a court of law - but he could work to make sure that others don't repeat the same sort of actions. And Dylan, I agree that you are in a position of influence with your writing (thanks!). It's not a case of hounding Kuggeleijn or making his life hell - that helps no-one. But the complete unwillingness by NZC to address the issue shows a lack of proper leadership around a very ugly issue.
Could not agree with you more. In my line of work, (teaching) I would be out of a job. Should not matter what occupation we are in.
Thank you Dominic. The deafening silence about his selection is upsetting - NZC clearly doesn’t care what messages it’s sending with the selection and the referencing of Doug Bracewell and Jesse Ryder is apposite.
"NZC needs to have a top-to-bottom rethink around the women’s game, particularly around junior coaching"
A fish rots from the head. PlayHQ is just a symptom of the same ineptitude and lack of understanding of the game from the ground up
Another technical area that women's cricket could usefully focus on is batters using their feet.
It’s very clear the Black Caps have some major issues ..
first is the selection of the BC ..they hadn’t got it right with our the team balance .. they either need strength the batting or make Mitchell into a batter who can bowl. Than with the bowling selections ..what a mess that has been . No way Blair or Scott should be in the test squad .. we need to bring in more youth with the bowling attack, we are in big trouble if we think Henry is the answer .. he is seam up bowler who good in certain conditions .. but he no bond ..
then why are an out of form Henry with the bat .. if he was the next Crowe then maybe yes ..clearly he’s out of form for a long time .. things only going to get worst with the Black Caps in test cricket . We got no world class spinner or all rounder .. our batting lineup age is not young .. we got great batters coming through to put pressure on our current batters ..
We got totally outplay by England in every way .. stokes show up Tim .. on a game plan .. it look like we only had one game plan with the ball ..bowl short at the body ..
next issue want bring up ..is about our greatest golfer is playing in Saudi Arabia this weekend .. I don’t know if that makes people feel rather uncomfortable..but it does for me .. where is the great nz media on this taking a pot shot at Lydia ..the same media will very strong about sports washing with Saudi with fifa only a week ago .. this is the same country who suppressed woman .. etc etc . Yet nothing from the media when our golfing stars play there like fox and Lydia .. certain usa journs took a pot shot at tiger with the whole tampon thing over the weekend..where is the Zoe George on this ..or any media in nz saying this is wrong Lydia ..you are global superstar .. yet you playing in Saudi.. you are better than this ..
The fact that we are selecting Tickner and Kuggeleijn demonstrates that our bowling stocks are poor or the wrong bowlers are being selected. Also Wagner is not the bowler he was. Much of our bowling was almost embarrassing. And our batting was poor, though the pink ball seemed to be mostly responsible for that.
We will do better at the Basin. I don't think Devon should be opening, despite his great record there. He looks like a natural number 4. We have sacrificed many players over the years because we don't seem to be able to produce openers. Can someone please explain why?
Leaving us hanging on the garage flood update!
Some seepage, but mostly dry! Several bullets dodged.
Phew, and this wind should dry it out nicely.