I watched a bit of the England women practising a couple of weeks ago and have been keeping a close eye on the results, both the full series and the “A” series. Sophie Devine’s comments resonated because I couldn’t get over who from the Super Smash had made their way into the two teams. Respectfully, some of them just can’t play....
Players like Bates, Devine & Kerr are streets ahead of the rest, and the former two are in their twilight years and haven’t been consistent enough at international level for a few years to win us games. Kerr is a once in a lifetime talent, and on a completely different plane to those around her.
On the flip side I recently attended a NSW vs Victoria women’s 50 over game in Sydney and was shocked to find that some very impressive players that day are not part of the national set up.
Turning back to NZ I do wonder however if we hamstring ourselves further with selections. Given Devine’s comments it would seem that good players should have a longer shelf life and there shouldn’t be too much rush to turn them over if there is no depth to replace them from. Why then have players like Frankie McKay and Kate Ebrahim been phased out so readily? Also don’t understand how Zara Jetly is not in the top 25 players in NZ after a solid Super Smash and a season playing mens cricket in England.
Here it feels a bit like a amateur game that has been conferred professional standing before it was earned but we still need to make the best of the situation.
We have more depth than we see, because the 'selectors' (which by the sounds of it informally includes a clique of senior players including the Captain) decide to ignore it.
This is a never-ending story - it happened with the selection before the 2017 World Cup and it keeps happening since.
Warren Lees was scathing back then: "[Lees] was bemused veteran batter Sara McGlashan and Canterbury all-rounder Frances Mackay weren't selected in the [2017] World Cup squad and thought they would have been valuable additions.
McGlashan and Mackay were among the leading run-scorers in last summer's 50-over competition, but were surplus to requirements.
"They're two questions that need to be discussed. How on earth is Sara McGlashan not there?
"That's got nothing to do with performance or skill levels."
'Nothing to do with performance or skill levels' - sounds awful familiar, doesn't it?
Everyone outside the set up can see there are better players who don't get a chance or worse, get picked and given little chance to settle into the side then are dumped when they dont instantly succeed (Exhibit A: Kate Anderson) while others are given a golden ticket of a 6 figure coaching programme and as much time as they want (Exhibit A: Maddy Green; Exhibit B: Georgia Plimmer)
'Nothing to do with performance or skills levels'
Izzy Gaze averages 8.5 with an 80SR in her career. (And about 8 fumbles with the gloves per match). That's our first choice keeper?
Devine surely does not believe what she said.
It's nothing to do with performance or skills levels
One positive from the dire state of women's cricket in NZ - I've enjoyed the commentary of Martin and Mackay, for different reasons.
Mackay is the same in the comms box as on field - not scared to have a go. She has fired some serious broadsides when given the chance, often to the discomfort of her co-commentator. But its a peek behind the Devine-curtain of blaming the set up, and while Satterthwaite kept a dignified silence about her dropping, Frankie has gone in to bat on her behalf
Martin has been a revelation with her technical knowledge - she likes to joke around and be a bit of a goose sometimes but the serious analysis she brings is a real strength. I suspect she would eviscerate a lot of the White Ferns' techniques etc if she wasnt so close to many of them. Give it a year or two and a new generation of players
Dylan. Looks like Sky sports not showing IPL that starts imminently. Bit disappointing. Any ideas on best option for recording and fast forwarding or good highlights packages
Sounds good although harder to find a way to execute. Sky not promoting at all. Looks like channel 151. Not sure if Hindi only though. Lots of angry Kiwi sports fans on Reddit. Sounds like best option is Yupptv. Works in NZ without VPN and quality good. One time $40 fee for whole tournament
I think we’re out of luck. I’ve been watching badly clipped and possibly illegal highlights packages on YT. I know the IPL rights are really expensive and hyper-licenced. It’s about the only major sports event in the world I can’t get up to date photos from and I have a Getty Images subscription!
Very late to this but I meant to comment on the gambling aspect. We don't need to look as far afield as Japan or the Premier League to see how much this is a part of the sports environment. Back in the day we had old mate Staffy from TAB with his extraordinary access to live sports broadcast audiences each weekend. Now we now have more insidious things like overseas betting companies like dafanews (a shell company for dafabet) with billboards at test cricket, or other companies that advertise websites that are just one letter away from a gambling website to guide search engines and avoid legal issues. NZ is lucky to have strong harm minimisation policies but they are game-able and need monitoring.
Another great column Dylan, thank you.
I watched a bit of the England women practising a couple of weeks ago and have been keeping a close eye on the results, both the full series and the “A” series. Sophie Devine’s comments resonated because I couldn’t get over who from the Super Smash had made their way into the two teams. Respectfully, some of them just can’t play....
Players like Bates, Devine & Kerr are streets ahead of the rest, and the former two are in their twilight years and haven’t been consistent enough at international level for a few years to win us games. Kerr is a once in a lifetime talent, and on a completely different plane to those around her.
On the flip side I recently attended a NSW vs Victoria women’s 50 over game in Sydney and was shocked to find that some very impressive players that day are not part of the national set up.
Turning back to NZ I do wonder however if we hamstring ourselves further with selections. Given Devine’s comments it would seem that good players should have a longer shelf life and there shouldn’t be too much rush to turn them over if there is no depth to replace them from. Why then have players like Frankie McKay and Kate Ebrahim been phased out so readily? Also don’t understand how Zara Jetly is not in the top 25 players in NZ after a solid Super Smash and a season playing mens cricket in England.
Here it feels a bit like a amateur game that has been conferred professional standing before it was earned but we still need to make the best of the situation.
We have more depth than we see, because the 'selectors' (which by the sounds of it informally includes a clique of senior players including the Captain) decide to ignore it.
This is a never-ending story - it happened with the selection before the 2017 World Cup and it keeps happening since.
Warren Lees was scathing back then: "[Lees] was bemused veteran batter Sara McGlashan and Canterbury all-rounder Frances Mackay weren't selected in the [2017] World Cup squad and thought they would have been valuable additions.
McGlashan and Mackay were among the leading run-scorers in last summer's 50-over competition, but were surplus to requirements.
"They're two questions that need to be discussed. How on earth is Sara McGlashan not there?
"That's got nothing to do with performance or skill levels."
'Nothing to do with performance or skill levels' - sounds awful familiar, doesn't it?
Everyone outside the set up can see there are better players who don't get a chance or worse, get picked and given little chance to settle into the side then are dumped when they dont instantly succeed (Exhibit A: Kate Anderson) while others are given a golden ticket of a 6 figure coaching programme and as much time as they want (Exhibit A: Maddy Green; Exhibit B: Georgia Plimmer)
'Nothing to do with performance or skills levels'
Izzy Gaze averages 8.5 with an 80SR in her career. (And about 8 fumbles with the gloves per match). That's our first choice keeper?
Devine surely does not believe what she said.
It's nothing to do with performance or skills levels
One positive from the dire state of women's cricket in NZ - I've enjoyed the commentary of Martin and Mackay, for different reasons.
Mackay is the same in the comms box as on field - not scared to have a go. She has fired some serious broadsides when given the chance, often to the discomfort of her co-commentator. But its a peek behind the Devine-curtain of blaming the set up, and while Satterthwaite kept a dignified silence about her dropping, Frankie has gone in to bat on her behalf
Martin has been a revelation with her technical knowledge - she likes to joke around and be a bit of a goose sometimes but the serious analysis she brings is a real strength. I suspect she would eviscerate a lot of the White Ferns' techniques etc if she wasnt so close to many of them. Give it a year or two and a new generation of players
Dylan. Looks like Sky sports not showing IPL that starts imminently. Bit disappointing. Any ideas on best option for recording and fast forwarding or good highlights packages
Any ideas appreciated in this, it’s killing me!
I've just heard you can get it on Star, which you can apparently get through Sky for an extra $10 per month.
Sounds good although harder to find a way to execute. Sky not promoting at all. Looks like channel 151. Not sure if Hindi only though. Lots of angry Kiwi sports fans on Reddit. Sounds like best option is Yupptv. Works in NZ without VPN and quality good. One time $40 fee for whole tournament
I think we’re out of luck. I’ve been watching badly clipped and possibly illegal highlights packages on YT. I know the IPL rights are really expensive and hyper-licenced. It’s about the only major sports event in the world I can’t get up to date photos from and I have a Getty Images subscription!
Very late to this but I meant to comment on the gambling aspect. We don't need to look as far afield as Japan or the Premier League to see how much this is a part of the sports environment. Back in the day we had old mate Staffy from TAB with his extraordinary access to live sports broadcast audiences each weekend. Now we now have more insidious things like overseas betting companies like dafanews (a shell company for dafabet) with billboards at test cricket, or other companies that advertise websites that are just one letter away from a gambling website to guide search engines and avoid legal issues. NZ is lucky to have strong harm minimisation policies but they are game-able and need monitoring.