New Zealand cricket has just hit its lowest point in their history. An utterly demoralising and unacceptable 4-0 whitewash to the previously tamed Bangladesh has brought the Black Caps to their knees.
The fall out should show little mercy to those at the forefront of the operations. The axe has to wield and those who do survive the chop need to be ruthlessly reprimanded. As a Kiwi fan, this was an embarrassing time as the whipping boys of international cricket turned the form guide on its head.
However, the result has been a long time coming and I am honestly glad this result has occurred as perhaps now something will change at New Zealand cricket. Look back to the Andy Moles era and most importantly his dismissal at the hands of player power.
Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori notably sought more control over the national side. The way the players won over the coach was testament to Justin Vaughan, the inept CEO of New Zealand cricket.
Vaughan possesses a weak character, seemingly a push-over to anyone who threatens him. Sight the lack of quality international teams visiting Kiwi shores over the past summers, and on the rare occasion they make the trip, it’s a two Test series at best.
Back in England in 2006, he gave in to the cash hungry egos in the side and enabled them to finish their IPL commitments before joining the less fortunate in the team. He has also given in to Cricket Australia’s wishes to not hold the ‘annual’ Chappell-Hadlee trophy this summer.
The Moles saga was the breaking point of the entire farce that exists in the boardroom.
Here are my ten ways for the Black Caps to regain competitiveness on the world stage:
1. Sack Justin Vaughan (see above).
2. Relinquish Daniel Vettori of the captaincy. Despite his fantastic cricketing ability, Vettori has gained too much power over the team and seems to be the image of player power. Drop him back to his original number eight batting position, where he thrives.
3. Give Ross Taylor the on-field captaincy.
4. Severely reprimand Brendon McCullum and drop him to number seven in the batting order in ODI’s and drop him from test matches until he regains first class form.
5. Sack Mark Greatbach whilst making pleas to Steve Rixon and John Wright to take complete control of the side.
6. Hire Martin Crowe permanently in a batting coaching role.
7. Rid of Peter Ingram, Shannon Stewart, Matthew Sinclair, Craig Cumming, Brent Arnel, Gareth Hopkins and Nathan McCullum for all eternity. Mediocrity doesn’t cut it at international level, first class journeymen should stay that way.
8. Plead to Scott Styris to reignite his test career and undertake a leadership role within the team.
9. Give Kane Williamson a permanent number five position in both forms of the game, even if runs don’t come immediately.
10. When selecting young talent, give them an extended run playing a consistent role within the side.
11. Recognise New Zealand has a small talent pool, and when players like Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Martin Guptill and Jesse Ryder emerge, nurture them onto the international scene.
12. Hire someone who knows how to face spin bowling, perhaps Saqlain Mushtaq in a permanent role.
Timmuh
Guest
I'm not so sure about that. The NZ season usually starts a little later than the Australian one, simply from giving the NZ sides slightly later home games gets around a lot of ground use and even travel issues (WA might do a mini-tour of NZ rater than fly all the way over twice). That may push the final back, but would not need to. More games could be played in regional areas as well, so overuse of major first class grounds would not be a problem. I believe that should happen anyway, to get first class cricket into areas that don't always see it (the fact that Australia's oldest first class venue, Launceston's NTCA ground, hasn't seen a first class match for years and isn't even getting a men's ListA or T20 game this summer is pathetic). It would mean a 14 game Shield season, which is still under 4 months at a game a week (though 50 and 20 over games need to be added to that, even if NZ teams don't take part in those, but the 50 over game often becomes the fifth day at a venue anyway so doesn't add much time).
Sylvester
Guest
* I agree with all, but 4. McCullum was getting back to his best form last NZ summer. Since the IPL, he's back in the hole. I predict he'll come right. * Especially endorse 2. I'm a huge Vettori fan, but his captaincy is too formulaic, especially his use of the powerplays. Key example was last game. He and Elliot were set and the last two recognised batsmen, but never used the powerplay until the 45th over and with one wicket in hand. Madness. Taylor showed he knew what to do during the tri-series. * I'd also add Elliot to the list for no.7.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
No obligation,just a generosity of spirit and wanting cricket to prosper in more places than your backyard. Start the season earlier and cut down on the KFC Big bash.
Will
Guest
Not possible to extend the shield comp. 2 more teams means more fixtures. There simply isnt enough time in the season to allow for two more teams into the shield comp and not compromise in terms of ensuring adequate preparation and recovery time between fixtures. Cricket grounds are also used for AFL. It just isn't feasible to extend the cricket season. Anyway, since when do we have an obligation to help out New Zealand cricket?
Fly on the Wall
Guest
Kirk almost destroyed Fairfax - he's a dunce best kept well away from important strategic and financial decisions
Elliot Lodge
Roar Pro
Oram - injured but was horribly out of form anyway Southee - still around the scene but plauged by inconsistancies, does possess talent however Tuffey - Still aroundbut seemingly lacking pace and aggression O'Brien - retired to English county cricket, big loss as he could genuinely take big wickets
Midfielder
Guest
Why not extent the Shield from North & South to major regional areas... Notrhland, Auckland ETC...
Brian
Guest
Like Pak, WI and soon I suspect SL the Kiwis simply do not have the cash to get their best players to focus on NZ cricket. McCullum for example is clearly talented and 10 years ago would still be a huge contributor but these days you can't blame him if his focus goes on T20 cash dashes. It surely can no longer be called a coincidence that NZ, Pak, WI are struggling whilst India are ranked No 1. McCullum has lost his focus, Galye and Bravo have refused to sign WICB contracts and the Paks are an entire shambles. More specifically on NZ what happened to Oram, Southee, Tuffey & O'Brien. The kiwis never seem capable of playing a similar team from series to series wasnt it a few months ago they beat India by 150 runs, they can;t be that bad
Elliot Lodge
Roar Pro
Whilst there is no doubt joining the Aussie comp would benefit NZ, the kiwi domestic scene has IMO been the best its been for a long time. Also, whilst there isnt an abundance of talent in NZ, the core group of players all have what it takes to perform internationally. McCullum, Ryder, Guptil, Watling, Taylor, Williamson, Styris, Vettori, Mills, Oram, Southee and maybe even Hamish Bennett have enough raw talent. The problem is applying that to the mental aspect of game which is where coaching and management becomes prevalent.From that group I would say only Styris and Vettori have the mental game.
Joe FC
Guest
That suggestion seems a no brainer Vinay but has it ever been brought up at official level?
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
The Big Cash! Robert Graves said there is no money in poetry. But then he also said there is no poetry in money!
Brett McKay
Guest
I wouldn't mind betting that happens for the Big Bash (at least) at some point anyway, Vinay....
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Totally agree Vinay - Australian Rugby has benefited greatly from playing NZ teams in the S14 - we should do the same for cricket and it make the Sheffield Shield that bit more interesting.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
One suggestion would be to have two teams from NZ,say South Island and North Island play in the Sheffield Shield. This will lift the standard all round and it is just as cheap to fly from NZ to the Eastern States as it is from WA to the Eastern States.
hog
Guest
Agree with most things said, although a bit harsh on Brent Arnel he,s made a pretty good fist of things so far just taken 8 wkts in (yes i know) Zimbabwe
Boulty
Guest
Had to happen some time They have a population of over 160,000000.Look at Sri Lanka 15-20 years ago they used to be the whipping boys not any more.
Nathan
Guest
What an absolute shambles, and geez we've seen a few over the years with the Slack Sacks. Obviously something's rotten to the core with NZ cricket, and it goes beyond pure ability (or lack of it). There's no way any sane person would have appointed Greatbach over John Wright as coach, so it starts at the top. i agree with Vettori having too much say in things, he's our best bowler & batsman at the moment, so let him focus on that.
allblackfan
Guest
that's not how it works in NZ. No 1 is God; No 2 is All Blacks coach. No 3 is AB captain; No 4 is Prime Minister No 5 is Silver Ferns women's netball captain; somewhere further down there is the Blacks Caps captain
Jason Cave
Guest
I would make Sir Richard Hadlee Chairman of NZ Cricket, and as CEO appoint former All Black David Kirk to the role. As far as the Black Caps is concerned, remove Vettori from the captaincy, dump Brendan McCullum until he finds his form again in the domestic comps in NZ and give Ross Taylor the captaincy-not exactly the 2nd most important job next to the Prime Minister but probably be ranked no.3-the NZ Prime Minister's job is no.1, the All Black captaincy 2, the skipper of the NZ cricket team no.3.