From the manager

[Riso]

A thread to discuss matches, tours, team selection, squad announcement; anything and everything related to the New Zealand senior team.

[Riso]

New Zealand ODI Squad Announcement

Tour: 5-match Home Series
Dates: 26–30 October 2025
Pitch Types: Crumbling • Dry • Flat
Venue: NZC Headquarters

[Harsha Bhogle opens]

“Good morning from the land of the long white cloud. The air is crisp, the anticipation real, and the squad? Carefully curated for five days of fascinating one-day cricket. New Zealand have always been cricket’s quiet achievers — they don’t boast, they believe. And the team selected for this home series reflects that very character: calm, well-prepared, and deadly when underestimated.”

[Sunil Gavaskar nods, adds]

“And they’ve picked a side that can play on all surfaces. There’s experience, variety in bowling, depth in batting, and fielders who won’t give you a second chance. But what will matter — especially in a 5-match series packed into five days — is fitness, discipline, and decision-making under pressure.”

[Ravi Shastri grins, steps in]

“And make no mistake — this squad? It’s ready to go BOOM. You’ve got firepower, finesse, and fearless players across the board. The Blackcaps are bringing the HEAT, and I wouldn’t want to be on the other side of that white Kookaburra when Wagner or Ripia are steaming in!”

THE 20-MAN SQUAD – BROKEN DOWN BY ROLE


Ravi Shastri – The BATTERS

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen — let’s get straight into it. You want firepower? You’ve got it. You want flair, finesse, fight? This batting unit’s got it ALL. These guys don’t just bat — they make statements. And they’re going to be making some LOUD ones on home soil!"

Ma’a Byrne (RH)
Calm, composed, and classy. Leads with the bat and the brain. He’s your anchor and your engine room.

Laurence Curtis (LH)
Silky smooth. Has all the shots, and makes it look easy. Left-handers like this? Gold dust.

Stephen Fleming (RH)
The professor. Reads the game like a book, plays it like a master. Old-school grit, modern-day cool.

Filo Rosser (RH)
Bang! That’s what you get with Rosser. One of the cleanest strikers going around. Short ball? Goodbye.

Mighty Trekka (RH)
Attacks from ball one. Loves the new ball, loves the battle. You give him width, you’re in the stands.

Haydn Larsen (RH)
Young gun. Full of promise. Hits gaps, rotates strike, and doesn’t shy away from responsibility.

Iosia Neyland (RH)
Proper cricket brain. Stays calm under pressure. You want someone to rebuild or explode? That’s your man.

Sonny-Bill Woodfull (RH)
Elegant. Very easy on the eyes. If he gets going, the opposition's in trouble.

“This batting line-up? It’s got BITE. And if these boys get in, the scoreboard is going to light up like a Diwali night.”



Sunil Gavaskar – WICKETKEEPERS & ALL-ROUNDERS

“Thank you, Ravi. Now, as we all know, in modern ODI cricket, versatility is everything. You need keepers who can contribute with the bat, and all-rounders who can give you ten overs or a 60-run cameo — or both. This squad has been selected with that exact balance in mind.”


Wicketkeepers:

Clarry Reppion (RH) – Wicketkeeper
A very competent gloveman. Quick hands, good footwork, and he bats with a positive mindset. Can bat anywhere from 4 to 7.

Trevor Rhodes (RH) – Wicketkeeper
Very assured behind the stumps. What I like is his temperament — nothing flashy, just gets the job done. And he bats smartly under pressure.


All-rounders:

Jason Hoppe (LH bat, LFM)
A genuine all-rounder. Hits hard, bowls a heavy ball. Plays with intensity. Very useful on flat tracks.

Jacob Faraday (RH bat, LWS)
A rare skill set — left-arm wrist spin with top-six batting ability. Will enjoy bowling on crumbling tracks.

Bertram Packer (RH bat, RFM)
Utility player. Can bowl in the powerplay or at the death. Chips in with valuable runs down the order.

Mervyn Towers (RH bat, RFS)
Off-spinner who keeps things tight, and can clear the ropes late in the innings. Very much a team-first cricketer.

“So, with these selections, New Zealand have ensured that they’re never short of options. These are thinking cricketers — and in a tight series, that’s what makes the difference.”


Harsha Bhogle – BOWLERS

“And now to the specialists. The men who don’t need loud entrances — because their spells do all the talking. This New Zealand attack? It’s a mosaic of spin and seam, of old-school discipline and new-age mystery. Let’s take a closer look.”


Spinners:

Lindsay Charlton (RFS)
A right-arm finger spinner with wonderful control. Bowls tight lines and brings variation through subtlety, not gimmicks.

Garnet Inu (LFS)
Very smart operator. Uses the crease, changes pace, and is effective particularly against right-handers.

Gregor Iro (LWS)
The most exciting of the lot. Left-arm wrist spin is always a mystery — and mystery is exactly what makes batters uncomfortable.

Dave Murnane (RWS)
Gives it flight, gives it loop. There’s an old-world charm to his bowling — and when it clicks, it’s a joy to watch.


Seamers:

Mark Ripia (LF)
Brings genuine pace. Left-armer, so offers a different angle. Can strike early or reverse it late. Watch out for him.

Neil Wagner (LFM)
The workhorse. He’ll give you everything — short balls, aggression, energy. He’s a captain’s dream on flat pitches.


FINAL WORD

Harsha:

“Five matches. Five chances to impress. For some, it will be about consolidating their place. For others, a ticket to the next level. But for all of them, it's a chance to wear the silver fern with pride, and to show that New Zealand cricket — calm, quiet, and ever-evolving — is ready to climb again.”

Gavaskar:

“Five ODIs in five days — it’s going to test everything: skill, stamina, smarts. But that’s where good teams become great. And When New Zealand play at home, you can be sure of two things: the settings will be scenic, and the cricket — simply superb.”

Shastri (grinning):

“Come October 26, it’s not just a series — it’s a cricketing war, and the Kiwis are bringing all the ammo. This team isn’t just selected — it’s designed. It’s got batting depth, bowling variety, and fielders that pounce like panthers. It’s showtime, folks. Buckle up. Because the Blackcaps are locked, loaded, and ready to rock!”

[Riso]

MATCH REPORT – Kenya vs New Zealand
Match Details
Home New Zealand
Away Kenya
Ground Eden Park
League Nat One Day 3, Match no 1
Date 26 Oct 25 22:00
Crowd 28,666
Weather Sunny
Pitch Dry


Ladies and gentlemen, what a crackerjack of a contest we’ve just witnessed here today! Kenya have pulled off an absolute stunner — beating New Zealand by two wickets in a nerve-jangling finish that went right down to the wire. The crowd’s on its feet, the flags are waving, and you can feel the buzz — because this, my friends, is one of those matches that will be talked about for years to come!


New Zealand, after winning the toss and electing to bat, put up a decent total on the board — 258 for 7 in their 50 overs. It was a disciplined effort from the Kenyan bowlers, led by the legendary O. Klozoff, who picked up early wickets and kept things tight right through. M. Byrne was the rock for the Kiwis, compiling a composed 91 off 110 balls, while keeper-batsman T. Rhodes chipped in with a fluent 68. At one stage, they looked set for a 280-plus total, but the Kenyan bowlers pulled it back beautifully at the death.


And then, the chase… oh, what a chase it turned out to be! Kenya were in deep, deep trouble early on — 58 for 4, then 89 for 5, and when the eighth wicket fell at 167, it looked all but over. But out in the middle stood one man — Abasi Mac Okoth, calm as a monk, blazing like a comet.


Take a bow, because that was an innings for the ages! 138 not out off 124 balls, laced with 12 fours and 4 sixes — an exhibition of timing, temperament, and tenacity. When wickets were tumbling around him like ninepins, he stood tall, absorbing the pressure, picking his moments, and then — bang! — the big shots started flowing. Every time New Zealand thought they had a sniff, Okoth slammed the door shut with a cracking boundary. He farmed the strike beautifully, guided the tail with authority. In the end, you could hear a pin drop in the New Zealand camp and a roar echoing across the Kenyan dugout.


This was vintage, box-office cricket — a one-man masterclass under pressure. Abasi Mac Okoth didn’t just win a match today; he challenged all the stats and facts; and proved how a man's willpower is above them all.


Player of the Match: Without a shadow of doubt — Abasi Mac Okoth.
Final result: Kenya win by 2 wickets, with 5 balls to spare.

[Riso]

Match Report — New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
Match Details
Home New Zealand
Away Sri Lanka
Ground Eden Park
League Nat One Day 3, Match no 2
Date 27 Oct 25 22:00
Crowd 28,446
Weather Sunny
Pitch Flat


There are cricket matches that entertain, some that enthral, and then there are those rare ones that leave you marvelling at how much beauty can exist in a game built on bat, ball, and nerve. This contest between New Zealand and Sri Lanka was one such — a run-fest, yes, but also a story of rhythm, response, and resilience.


New Zealand won the toss, took one look at that pitch, and said — “thank you very much, we’ll have a bat.” What followed was a symphony of controlled aggression, each batsman adding his own instrument to the orchestra.

M. Trekka and L. Curtis began the overture, their partnership setting the tempo. Curtis, in particular, was a delight — 82 off 63 balls, full of timing rather than muscle. Then came Iosia Neyland, who batted as if he’d stepped out of a dream — 91 off 62, all elegance and intent. His driving through the off-side was a masterclass in balance. And if you thought the bowlers might breathe easy after his departure, F. Rosser and H. Larsen ensured they didn’t. Rosser’s 66 from 42 was pure power; Larsen’s 53 from 41 was calm assurance.

By the time the 50 overs were done, New Zealand had mounted an Everest — 401 for 6. It was the kind of total that makes even optimists glance at the sky for divine intervention.


And yet, Sri Lanka began their chase with spirit. S. Amarakoon batted as if oblivious to the enormity of the task — a crisp 63 off 47 balls that gave hope. But wickets at the wrong moments punctured the innings’ flow. When Bayya Hathurusingha arrived, though, the game found its most enchanting phase.

Hathurusingha’s 124 from just 81 balls was the innings of the match — fearless, inventive, yet grounded in beautiful technique. He swept, cut, and pulled with disdain, and for a brief while, it seemed the chase might just transcend belief.

But as so often in cricket, hope is a fragile thing. Once Hathurusingha fell — lbw to Wagner in the 47th over — Sri Lanka’s resistance crumbled. From 343 for 7, they were all out for 349, 52 runs short of what would have been a heist for the ages. Wagner, ever the tireless workhorse, picked up 3 for 65. G. Iro, despite being expensive, struck key blows. And through it all, the Kiwis held their composure — a hallmark of sides that know how to finish what they start.


At the end, New Zealand won by 52 runs — and though the margin might suggest comfort, the contest was anything but. 750 runs in a day’s play, moments of brilliance from both sides, and a result that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

[Riso]

Match Report: New Zealand v Ireland, Match no 3
Conditions: Cloudy and Dry

Toss : Ireland won the toss and elected to bowl

New Zealand scored 268 for 7 in their 50 overs.
Fleming 83 (102), Hoppe 44(67), Byrne 40(45).

Ireland has a solid opening partnership of 96! Everyone in top order got a good start. Pearse went on to score 75(78). Patterson 48(63). Ireland needed 86 off 16 overs with 8 wickets in hand.

Cut to 12 needed in the final over with 3 wickets in hand. Following is a live commentary of the final over and winning moment! Enjoy



Sunil Gavaskar & Harsha Bhogle — Live Commentary

Gavaskar:
“Twelve needed off the last over… Hoppe to bowl. He’s held his nerve well so far, but this is the real test now.”

49.1 — Hoppe in… straight and full — bowled him!

Gavaskar: “Ah, that’s beautifully done! The perfect yorker! Straight through McCann — that’s top-class under pressure.”
Harsha: “Oh, you can feel the roar from the New Zealand players! Hoppe has struck first ball, and that’s exactly what the doctor ordered.”

49.2 — Hoppe to Carty… leading edge! Flies over point — two runs.

Harsha: “Well, that could’ve gone anywhere, Sunny!”
Gavaskar: “Yes, Harsha, a few inches lower and Rosser would’ve had him. But that’s cricket — fortunes can change with one mistimed shot.”

49.3 — Hoppe again… short outside off, punched to cover, no run.

Gavaskar: “Excellent control. He’s keeping it just outside that hitting zone — very smart bowling.”

49.4 — Played to cover, quick single, throw misses!

Harsha: “Oh, almost a run out! That would’ve been curtains for Ireland.”
Gavaskar: “Yes, brilliant pick-up and release from Trekka — just missed the stumps by an inch. The nerves are really showing now.”

49.5 — Hoppe to O’Brien… thick edge through third man, two runs!

Harsha: “Another edge, and it’s racing away! You can’t script this!”
Gavaskar: “That’s the pressure, Harsha — the batsman searching for timing, the bowler sticking to his plan. Just four needed now… one ball left.”

49.6 — Hoppe steams in… full on the pads, worked to square leg for a single!

Harsha: “And that’s it! New Zealand win by three runs! What a finish!”
Gavaskar: “Yes, a thrilling game of cricket. Hoppe kept his composure when it mattered most. Ireland fought hard, especially O’Brien and young Carty, but New Zealand’s discipline just edged it.”

Harsha: “Indeed, Sunny. Fleming’s earlier 83 gave them the platform, and Hoppe finished it perfectly. Great spirit from both teams — this is what one-day cricket’s all about.”
Gavaskar: “Absolutely. Close game, played hard but fair — that’s the beauty of it.”

[Riso]

Match Report : New Zealand v South Africa
Match details:
Home New Zealand
Away South Africa
Ground Eden Park
League Nat One Day 3, Match 4
Date 29 Oct 25 22:00
Crowd 28,446
Weather Cloudy
Pitch Dry


Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a pulsating contest between New Zealand and South Africa! South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first


South Africa got off to a decent start. First wicket falls at 49. Bloomfield walks in, steadying the innings, looking to build a platform. And yes, some good running between the wickets, but the second wicket falls at 87. Stewart LBW to Faraday — that’s two key wickets for New Zealand. Pressure was building!

Mujuru and Bloomfield counter attacked. Mujuru unleashing his Boundary Hitter talent. Bloomfield also showing some class, 36 runs, with three boundaries, but… then, Inu strikes! Bloomfield c Faraday b Inu, 118 for 4. Next, Esterhuizen gone immediately after for a duck — two quick wickets, South Africa wobbling! Mujuru out LBW to Inu earlier at 113, and Bauermeister c Reppion b Inu at 136. This is excellent bowling from New Zealand — they are not letting South Africa get away with it. Busbridge LBW to Hoppe, South Africa 159/7.

Rimmington, proves to be the backbone of this innings. Along with van der Sander they add 100 runs in 69 balls. Rimmington falls soon but Sander stays till the end — 68 not out off 42, striking at over 160, giving South Africa a respectable 275 for 8 in their 50 overs. Fantastic hitting under pressure!


And now, New Zealand begins their chase. Reppion and Byrne open! First wicket falls at 40, Reppion c Esterhuizen b van der Sander. Curtis out soon after at 48 — two early blows. Neyland tries to hold, but LBW to Bauermeister, and New Zealand is 58 for 3.

But here comes the moment of magic — Mighty Trekka walks in. And what a player! Slowly, steadily, he builds his innings. Byrne joins him and they put together a massive partnership. Trekka is timing everything, the boundaries are flowing, the strike rate climbing. Byrne falls at 193 — still, New Zealand in control.

And Trekka, oh, what a hero! Out LBW to Ackerman at 254 for 5 — but by now, the game is in New Zealand’s hands. H. Larsen and Hoppe see them home with calm, finishing at 276 for 5 in 48.4 overs. New Zealand wins by 5 wickets!


Man of the Match? Mighty Trekka — a superb 113 under pressure. But credit also to Garnet Inu for his incisive 4-wicket haul and Zander van der Sander for keeping South Africa competitive.