Cricket

The exodus of Kiwi cricketers from national contracts to lucrative T20 leagues has raised concerns about player availability for New Zealand, according to captain Tim Southee. Star players like Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and Finn Allen have recently opted for casual contracts, prioritizing franchise cricket over central contracts with New Zealand Cricket.Southee acknowledged the challenges this trend poses, particularly given New Zealand's limited player pool. "It's a small cricketing country in terms of numbers," he said. "It would be great to have as many people as possible available for New Zealand, but the way the world is going, it's getting harder and harder."New Zealand faces a demanding schedule in the coming months, with six Tests in the subcontinent, including three against India. The conditions will be vastly different from those in New Zealand, and Southee expects spinners to dominate."Conditions are foreign to what we're used to," Southee said. "But we're excited about the chance of playing six Test matches on the bounce here in the subcontinent."Southee, a pace bowler, may miss a game or two due to the expected dominance of spinners. "We've got four quality pace bowlers at our disposal," he said. "So it's about working out what balance is right."After the India series, New Zealand will host England for a Test series, concluding their World Test Championship duties. Southee emphasized the challenges of playing nine Tests in a short period."It's a challenge for every side," he said. "For players playing multi-formats, you have to balance the chopping and changing nature of busy schedules."Despite Afghanistan's inexperience in Test cricket, Southee warned against underestimating them. "Afghanistan has been an improving side for a number of years," he said. "They've got a lot of confidence from their success in the T20 World Cup and the one-day World Cup."

New Zealand's formidable Test squad, led by veteran pacer Tim Southee, has arrived in India for their historic one-off Test against Afghanistan. The match, scheduled for September 9 at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, marks the first red-ball encounter between the two nations.The BlackCaps boast a star-studded lineup, including former skipper Kane Williamson, who recently opted out of a central contract. Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra add depth to the batting order, while Tom Latham remains the vice-captain.Recognizing the importance of spin bowling in Indian conditions, New Zealand has included five spin options in Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and part-timers Phillips and Ravindra. They will hold their first practice session on Friday.This Test serves as a crucial preparation for New Zealand's upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka, which is part of the World Test Championship (WTC). After Sri Lanka, the BlackCaps will return to India for a three-match Test series against Rohit Sharma's men, also part of the WTC calendar.The three games against India will be played in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai in October and November. New Zealand currently sits third in the ICC WTC points table, behind India and Australia.This historic Test against Afghanistan provides a valuable opportunity for both teams to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience ahead of the upcoming WTC challenges.

The club vs country debate has become a pressing issue in New Zealand cricket, with several high-profile players opting out of central contracts. Test captain Tim Southee acknowledges the challenge, attributing it to the "changing landscape of international cricket."Southee hopes for collaboration between cricket boards and franchise leagues to address the issue. He emphasizes that New Zealand's board is working towards a solution that benefits both parties.The proliferation of lucrative offers in franchise leagues has contributed to the dilemma. However, Southee insists that his focus remains on representing New Zealand. He believes the team will not be affected by the contract decisions, as there are players with and without contracts on the current tour.Among those who have declined contracts are Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne. Williamson is part of the squad for the upcoming Test against Afghanistan, the first of six Tests in the subcontinent.Southee views the subcontinent tour as an exciting challenge, particularly for the spinners. New Zealand boasts a strong spin contingent, including Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips.Afghanistan's spin threat is also acknowledged by Southee. He expects the spinners to play a significant role in the subcontinent conditions.Southee admits to not being at his best towards the end of the previous summer. However, he feels refreshed and ready for the upcoming challenges.The Test against Afghanistan will be played from September 9 to 13, followed by tours of Sri Lanka and India.

As the allure of lucrative T20 deals overseas continues to entice New Zealand's top cricketers, Test captain Tim Southee has expressed his hope for a collaborative solution between cricket boards and franchise leagues. The exodus of high-profile players like Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne from central contracts has left New Zealand Cricket (NZC) facing a significant challenge.Southee acknowledges the growing popularity of franchise leagues but emphasizes the importance of Test cricket as the pinnacle of the sport. He believes that boards and leagues should work together to find a balance that allows players to prioritize both international and domestic commitments."It would be nice to see the international [boards] and the leagues working together in some way because, especially Test cricket, I think for a lot of players is still the pinnacle of the format," Southee said.Despite the calendar clash, Southee remains committed to Test cricket, which he holds "closest to the heart." He believes that the Hundred format has helped him improve his skills and stay competitive across all formats.New Zealand's upcoming tour of Asia will test their ability to manage player workloads. Head coach Gary Stead has indicated that Southee may be rested for some matches to accommodate more spinners in the XI. Southee understands the need for balance but hopes to play in all nine Tests."I think it's just natural when you come to this part of the world," Southee said. "Obviously spin plays a big part, but ideally, I'd like to play all the Test matches available."The team management will assess the conditions and select the best XI for each game. Southee believes that picking the best side for each Test match is crucial, regardless of location."You decide to win over the five days," Southee said. "So we've got a lot of cricket in the subcontinent, six Test matches and then three Test matches back home."

Tim Southee, the New Zealand Test captain, has hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the world's best all-format bowler, echoing the sentiments of Australian legend Ricky Ponting. Bumrah's remarkable return from an 11-month injury layoff has seen him excel in all three formats, earning him the Player of the Tournament award at the T20 World Cup.Southee praised Bumrah's ability to juggle multiple formats with ease, saying, "He's probably more experienced, understands his game a bit more... I think we've just seen a great version of Jasprit Bumrah across all three formats."Southee also acknowledged the challenges of playing in subcontinental conditions, where spin plays a significant role. He indicated that he may not play every Test match in India and Sri Lanka, but emphasized his desire to feature in as many as possible."I love Test cricket, but I understand there is a balance to the side... We have got nine Test matches in the next few months so there is a lot of Test cricket. So it is all about managing workloads," Southee said.Regarding the impact of T20 leagues on player availability for international cricket, Southee expressed uncertainty. He noted that New Zealand Cricket's decision to allow Devon Conway and Finn Allen to decline central contracts while remaining available for most Test matches was a step in the right direction."It would be nice to see the international and the leagues working together in some way because especially Test cricket, I think a lot of players, it's still the pinnacle of the format," Southee said.

New Zealand's Test captain, Tim Southee, may find himself on the sidelines for some of the team's upcoming matches on the subcontinent. The Black Caps will embark on a challenging tour that includes a one-off Test against Afghanistan and two matches against Sri Lanka, both likely to be held in Galle.While Southee will lead a 15-player squad that boasts five spin bowling options, his inclusion in the starting XI is not guaranteed. The nature of the subcontinent's pitches, characterized by heat, humidity, and spin-friendly conditions, may necessitate a different balance to the team.Head coach Gary Stead acknowledged the challenges facing pace bowlers on these tours and emphasized the need to manage their workloads. "Test tours to the subcontinent can ask some really tough questions of pace bowlers," Stead said. "We're going over with an open mind around conditions, but there is an understanding that all our bowling options may be needed across the different Tests."Should Southee be omitted from the XI, vice-captain Tom Latham would assume the captaincy role. The squad announced does not cover the subsequent three-Test series against India, but a similar group of players is expected to be involved.Kane Williamson's availability for the Afghanistan Test had been uncertain, but he has been included for the historic encounter. Offspin allrounder Michael Bracewell returns to the Test side after an 18-month absence, while Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner are also included. Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips are likely to play significant roles with the ball.Alongside Southee, the pace options include Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O'Rourke. Henry impressed against Australia with 17 wickets in two matches, while Sears and O'Rourke made strong debuts last season. Kyle Jamieson remains sidelined due to a stress fracture of the back."It's always great when young guys force their way into squads through performance," Stead said of Sears and O'Rourke. "Michael's had to show plenty of resilience to rehabilitate his injuries and force his way back into the Blackcaps across all three formats."Saqlain Mushtaq will rejoin New Zealand as bowling coach for the three away Tests, while former England wicketkeeper James Foster returns as an assistant coach. The Afghanistan Test, not part of the World Test Championship, takes place from September 9-13, followed by the Sri Lanka matches from September 18-22 and 26-30.New Zealand faces a demanding schedule of nine Tests from September to December, including a home series against England starting in late November. They currently sit third in the World Test Championship standings, aiming to reach the final at Lord's next June.

Pakistan, led by captain Babar Azam, opted to field first in the second T20I against New Zealand in Rawalpindi on Saturday. The decision came after Pakistan won the toss, hoping to capitalize on the favorable conditions for bowling.Pakistan fielded an unchanged lineup from the first T20I, which was abandoned due to rain after only two deliveries. The team's batting order remains unchanged, with Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed taking the field.New Zealand, on the other hand, was forced to make one change to their XI. Right-arm medium-pace bowler Josh Clarkson was ruled out due to illness and was replaced by offspin-bowling allrounder Cole McConchie. McConchie has played nine T20Is for New Zealand, most recently against the United Arab Emirates in August 2023.Despite his limited batting contributions, McConchie has proven to be a reliable bowler, with seven wickets at an average of 22.71 and an economy rate of 7.17. His inclusion in the team is expected to provide New Zealand with additional bowling options.Meanwhile, Pakistan suffered a setback with the news that wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has been ruled out of the entire series. Radiology reports confirmed a grade one tear in his right calf muscle, forcing him to miss the remaining matches.With the weather forecast predicting clear skies for the second T20I, both teams will be eager to secure a victory and gain an advantage in the three-match series. Pakistan will look to their experienced bowling attack to restrict New Zealand's batting, while the visitors will aim to put up a competitive total and test Pakistan's batting lineup.

Tim Southee, the New Zealand Test captain and one of the most successful swing bowlers of all time, recently spoke about his experiences and insights on the game.Southee has enjoyed his role as captain, having worked closely with Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson. He believes that the leadership group plays a crucial role in team success.New Zealand is currently ranked third in the ICC World Test Championship table, and Southee is optimistic about their chances of reaching the final. He acknowledges the tough matches ahead, especially in the subcontinent.Southee's long-standing partnership with Trent Boult has been one of the most formidable new-ball alliances in cricket. He attributes their success to their close friendship, mutual understanding of each other's game, and complementary skills.Southee praises Boult's exceptional ability to swing the ball, particularly in the first over of an innings. He also highlights Boult's fitness and injury-free record.India has recently produced several promising pace bowlers, and Southee is not surprised. He believes that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has played a significant role in their development. He is particularly impressed with Mayank Yadav's pace and control.Southee has faced some of the greatest batters in the game, including A.B. de Villiers, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag. He considers de Villiers to be the toughest batter he has bowled to across all formats.Among the bowlers he admires, Southee mentions Glenn McGrath, Jacques Kallis, Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, and Kagiso Rabada.Southee has mixed feelings about the recent trend of "Bazball" in Test cricket, as exemplified by England. While he acknowledges its success, he believes that England's style may not be sustainable in all conditions. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to different pitches and situations.Southee expresses concerns about the future of Test cricket, given the increasing popularity of T20 cricket. However, he hopes that measures can be taken to preserve the longest format, which he considers the pinnacle of the game.New Zealand will tour India later this year, and Southee is eager to perform well. He recalls his best Test figures of seven for 64, which he achieved in Bengaluru in 2012.Southee is also excited about the emergence of Rachin Ravindra, a young New Zealand cricketer who has shown great promise. He believes that Ravindra has a bright future in the game.

Tim Southee's captaincy and New Zealand's winless streak against Australia were under scrutiny after a heartbreaking three-wicket loss in Christchurch. Southee admitted that his position as captain is vulnerable, especially considering the team's upcoming tour to the subcontinent.Southee's form has been a concern, with the pacer taking only four wickets in the series. He acknowledged that the team's spin-friendly conditions in Asia could lead to a change in the side's composition.Southee's captaincy decisions were also questioned, particularly his reluctance to introduce spinner Glenn Phillips earlier in the fourth day. Phillips had dismissed both Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh in the series, but Southee opted to stick with pace bowlers.The selection of Scott Kuggeleijn, who bowled only three overs in the second innings, was also criticized. However, Southee defended Kuggeleijn's inclusion, citing his valuable batting contribution.Southee refused to blame fielding errors for the loss, despite several critical drops. He also denied that the team had a mental block against Australia, but acknowledged that they had struggled in crunch moments.The loss extended New Zealand's 13-year winless streak in Tests against Australia and their 31-year drought at home against their neighbor. Southee expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the team's future.