Levels and Whatnot
Blackcaps ODI evolution, NZers in the A-Leagues, Funky Super Smash Youngsters XI, Footy Ferns vs USA chat, Black Sticks Men & more
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The Six Aotearoa Warriors Juniors To Learn About (Rugby League)
How The Aotearoa Warriors Spine May Operate In 2023 (Rugby League)
How The Aotearoa Warriors Forward Pack May Operate In 2023 (Rugby League)
Football Ferns vs USA: Squad Yarns & Preview (Football)
Kiwi Steve in the NBA #4: Igniting The Revival (Basketball)
2022/23 Ford Trophy: Wellington and Canterbury Wins (Cricket)
Scotty’s Word
Blackcaps wrapped up their tour of Pakistan with an ODI series victory and are now first in the World Cup Super League. Aotearoa has played 21 games with a 14-5 (2 N/R) record and they are the only team with 14 wins. Blackcaps will play three ODIs against Sri Lanka late in March which will be their last WCSL series and the kiwis will probably head into the World Cup as a top-three WCSL nation. Considering that Aotearoa made the final of the last two ODI World Cups, this is fairly impressive.
The World Cup will be held in India and this helps frame some of the antics we saw in Pakistan. Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and Tom Latham led Blackcaps batting in the Pakistan Test series, flowing into ODIs where Williamson and Conway both scored 150+ runs with averages over 50. Latham only managed 60 runs @ 20avg, but these three still form the batting core in Test and ODIs.
Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips were given opportunities around the fulcrum-trio. Allen and Mitchell didn't manage many runs. Phillips delivered a game-winning performance - a series-winning performance - in the third ODI and he is reinforcing his status as they most exciting cricketer in the world.
Phillips batted #6 in the first two games, then came in at #7 for the third game. Phillips is capable of batting in any slot and playing any role, which could provide a funky finishing opportunity as we saw in the third ODI. Ponder the roles of Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme from the 2019 WC as this has morphed into Phillips and Michael Bracewell, which will likely continue for Asian conditions.
With Phillips bowling for Blackcaps, folks will hear all how Phillips flipped from wicket-keeping to bowling spin. Super Smash is fun because it is the most visible form of domestic cricket and Phillips provides a prime example of why cricket freaks should be tuned in with Super Smash. Apart from the odd fill-in role, Phillips stopped wicket-keeping for Auckland a while ago and has been zipping around the field with eye-catching athleticism for a few summers.
Phillips only started bowling in Super Smash during the 2020/21 summer, but keen observers will have noted his eager bowling mahi. Phillips' bowling history stretches back further though as he registered First-Class overs back in 2016/17 as well as List-A overs in 2017/18. Phillips has bowled in West Indies, UAE, England, Ireland and Pakistan.
Bracewell has less bowling experience around the world, yet his bowling mahi stretches back to 2013/14. There has been an escalation for Bracewell and Phillips in recent years from 2019 onwards as these two churned out more overs in all formats. In Friday's email dispatch I highlighted Mark Chapman's form slump and the rise of Bracewell/Phillips of spinners, coincides with Chapman being highlighted as a future spinning all-rounder. Blackcaps had a need; Bracewell and Phillips stepped up.
Folks would have seen Bracewell and Phillips bowling in Super Smash, as well as new seamers Henry Shipley and Ben Lister. Devon Conway and Finn Allen dominated Super Smash prior to their Blackcaps promotions. Daryl Mitchell was part of an excellent Northern T20 outfit for almost a decade before he elevated to Blackcaps. Super Smash is currently flush with funky youngsters who are enjoying plenty of game time as Blackcaps are away, so here's my Funky Youngsters Super Smash 1st 11...
Katene Clarke: 26.8avg/125sr
Rachin Ravindra: 28.5avg/132.55sr | 6w @ 22avg/6.94rpo
Will O'Donnell: 26.83avg/135.29sr
Dean Foxcroft: 44.8avg/118.51sr | 9w @ 8.88avg/5rpo
Troy Johnson: 40avg/108sr
Llew Jonson: 28avg/147.36sr
Josh Clarkson: 59.33avg/200sr
Zak Foulkes: 5w @ 9.8avg/6.12rpo
Kristian Clarke: 5w @ 24avg/9.23rpo
Will O'Rourke: 5w @ 26.8avg/8.28rpo
Tim Pringle: 6w @ 20.83avg/6.9rpo
All those lads are fun to watch. Katene Clarke and Llew Johnson are two of my favourite youngsters to watch bat. Foulkes has become mandatory viewing since his SS debut a few weeks ago with Canterbury. Troy Johnson and Ravindra are young leaders with Wellington.
Ravindra and Foxcroft are the only blokes I'd have among the best SS players though. There is a deep middle class in kiwi cricket and the best domestic cricketers are blokes who have played at least five seasons. Otago's Michael Rae leads all bowlers for wickets and he made his FC debut in 2014 for example.
Having observed an increase in 'who are the best youngsters' content around mainstream media, it's important to note that Blackcaps and White Ferns depth is most evident in the middle class. There are exceptions as always but even the most recent examples in Shipley and Lister have quietly gathered domestic experience over the past five-seven years.
The youngsters are really fun and my intrigue is about how they perform consistently - through a summer and over multiple seasons. Tap in and you will start to build your observational profile on all the youngsters across blokes and wahine Super Smash. The most notable trend in kiwi cricket is the middle class though with the latest example being how Phillips and Bracewell developed their skills in recent summers.
Kate Anderson is the only female in top-five for HBJ Shield and Super Smash runs...
HBJ Shield: 5th -110 runs @ 27.5vg/70.96sr
Super Smash: 5th - 194 runs @ 38.8avg/103.74sr
Gabby Sullivan is the only bowler in top-five for HBJ Shield and Super Smash wickets...
HBJ Shield: 2nd - 11w @ 10.36avg/3.12rpo
Super Smash: 1st -10w @ 14avg/6rpo
Super Smash wahine royalty...
Suze Bates: 1st - 293 runs @ 73.25avg/128.5sr
Amy Satterthwaite: 2nd - 224 runs @ 112avg/118.51sr
Amelia Kerr: 3rd - 216 runs @ 54avg/122sr
Anderson, Sullivan and Satterthwaite all play for Canterbury. Apart from a super-doosra, these three won't feature in White Ferns and will play out Super Smash. Canterbury also have Missy Banks on 10w @ 15.3avg/6.95rpo (2nd) and Satterthwaite's 9w @ 12.7aavg/5rpo (4th) in Super Smash. Canterbury should only lose Lea Tahuhu to White Ferns and this makes them SS monsters heading into finals.
Under 19 women had a decent win over Indonesia to start their T20 World Cup. Anna Browning has quickly emerged as a notable player while I'm also curious about Izzy Gaze and her role given the White Ferns/Auckland background. Aotearoa played two warm-up games as well as this first up win and Gaze was not listed as wicket-keeper, while batting #4 in each game.
Antonia Hamilton and Izzy Sharp shared the W/K role in the warm-up games, then Hamilton was given the nod for the Indonesia game. A bunch of weird selection stuff could be happening here so we'll keep an open mind, but Gaze is a White Ferns W/K who isn't being deployed in that role for U19s. Also interesting is Fran Jonas missing the Indonesia game.
Black Sticks lads started their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Chile. They face Netherlands tonight, who had a 4-0 win over Malaysia and this will be a hefty challenge for the kiwis. Keep in mind that a loss to Netherlands and win over Malaysia will be all good.
Netherlands will know all about Simon Child and his importance to this Black Sticks outfit. This sets up a intriguing battle as Netherlands will limit the time and space Child has when receiving passes, especially between the edge of the circle and the 25m line. If Child can influence a strong Black Sticks performance against Netherlands, it would be an impressive marker of his talent.
Keep track of Joe and Charlie Morrison, as well as Simon Yorston. Joe is a vibrant midfielder, while Charlie and Yorston are defenders. All three are youngsters who looked solid against Chile and now face one of the best teams in the world. All three are from Canterbury - which may be the best sporting region in Aotearoa.
Musical jam…
Wildcard’s Notebook
Feels like a good time to breeze through how the various non-Phoenix kiwi players are trucking along in the A-League and there were definitely some good times on Sunday as Hannah Wilkinson smacked in her first goal of the ALW season...
Wilkie narrowly missed out on the Golden Boot last term with a brief Footy Ferns trip away contributing to that outcome – as did the fact that the GB only counts regular season goals so Wilkie’s double in the finals which took her past Fiona Worts overall didn’t earn her the trophy despite technically scoring the most goals in the season. Year two with Melbourne City therefore began with a very deliberate aim of winning the Golden Boot at the second time of asking... but a pesky preseason injury kept Wilkinson out for more than a month to start things which makes that dream a very distant one.
This game was Wilkinson’s fourth back so that banger was overdue. Hannah Keane (Western United) leads the way with six goals overall so it’s a long way to the top... but Wilkie did score five in a game last season, don’t forget.
That goal came in a funky Melbourne Derby which ended in a 1-1 draw. Katie Bowen played the full thing for City, as she’s done in every game so far (except for one where she was subbed off in the 89th minute). Mostly in central defence although the last few games have seen her used differently with time spent in central midfield, right midfield, and at left back sprinkled in there. Bowen is tied with teammate Kaitlyn Torpey for the most completed passes this season (563 – that’s 90 clear of third placed Naomi Thomas-Chinnama... also of Melbourne City). Not seem much of her in the attacking areas because of how she’s been deployed but the defensive/possession stuff has been excellent.
On the other side of that derby game was Claudia Bunge who missed a great chance to win it late on with a header over the top. Bunge missed two games because of an ankle injury but returned for this match, picking up where she left off alongside Kayla Morrison in central defence for a Victory team averaging less than a goal per game conceded. Only Sydney FC have a better defensive record.
It took Wilkinson four games to score after her return. It took Indi Riley just 25 minutes as she pounced on a loose ball in the area, beat a defender, then smashed in with her left foot...
Riley was immediately into the starting team upon re-signing with the Roar after two and a half years in Denmark with Fortuna Hjørring. She lasted 57 minutes as the Roar drew 1-1 with Adelaide. IPR played as a right winger, a welcome return to her best position having lately been used as a wide defender back in Denmark.
Grace Jale is the only kiwi with multiple goals so far this ALW season. She scored in each of Canberra United’s first two games. Hasn’t hit the net since but she’s been playing well, mostly on the wing, for a team with heaps of attacking weaponry. Canberra had a wee struggle after their nice start, losing three in a row, but recently they’ve bounced back with a couple wins. No goal contributions in the 5-1 victory over Newcastle on the weekend but Jale did get an assist against Adelaide (2-0 win) before that – her second of the season. Haven’t seen Rebecca Burrows for Canberra yet. Not listed as injured, just hasn’t been picked yet. At some stage a midfield injury/suspension should help that cause.
Also not been seen much of Anna Green. She’s one of ALW players released for the Footy Ferns this week and Sydney FC didn’t play this past week. However Greenie did get a run off the bench in their 2-0 loss to Western United last week. Just her second appearance of the term after starting in week one.
Much more reliable has been Liz Anton who had another strong game against the Wellington Phoenix last night and after nine games is one of the final 23 remaining women to have played every minute for their club this season – Brianna Edwards, Mack Barry, and Michaela Foster are the Nixers on that list. And by a stroke of luck she should be able to maintain that as Perth’s bye week coincides with the Ferns vs USA games that Anton’s been selected for.
They don’t line-up for Western Sydney though, hence Malia Steinmetz hasn’t been allowed to partake in any Fernery. Especially because WSW have really come to depend on her. Steinmetz has been subbed off twice for WSW... but only very late in games meaning she’s still logged 98.8% of her team’s overall minutes. Initially that was for a side that was having some trouble as a bye in week one put them behind the eight-ball and they proceeded to lose their first five games. Granted, three of those were by 1-0 scorelines so it wasn’t Steinmetz’s defensive midfield efforts at fault. Wanderers then drew with the Welly Nix in a bottom of the table clash... and quite incredibly have since won back to back against Melbourne City and Western United – the two top teams on the ladder. Remarkable turnaround... and we have seen a bit more of Steinmetz taking control in that time too. Stepping up and looking to orchestrate. Having been frustratingly in and out of the team last season, Steinmetz is asserting herself as a key player for the Wanderers this term.
That leads us into the fellas and... the cupboard’s a lot barer on this side. Marco Rojas is in Chile, Kosta Barbarouses has returned home to the Welly Nix. They’d been holding down the fort in recent years. But there is a fullback duo holding it down in Newcastle. James McGarry has missed a couple games along the way but was back in the starting line-up for the Jets over the last two matches. He scored against the Phoenix earlier this season. And Dane Ingham is also playing far more than he’s not (8 starts & 2 sub apps from 12 overall fixtures) while the last couple games have seen him getting a few crosses into the area as well, adding to his bag. Ingham has featured on both the left and right side of defence which has meant competing with McGarry for minutes on occasion.
Storm Roux is having a great time with Central Coast. Bit of an injury break in the middle of his campaign but he started strong and has been in solid form lately amidst CCM’s run of victories (they’ve won five out of the last six). Did enough to get himself a contract extension last week. That’s what we wanna see.
And then the main man, one of the breakthrough players of the entire A-League, is Keegan Jelacic at Perth Glory. Gotta be careful with this bloke as he’s played youth footy for Aotearoa but is also eligible for Australia and they’ll have noticed a 20 year old who’s establishing himself as a creative force, starting the last seven games in a row for the Glory with a goal and an assist in that span. Usually does his thing on the left wing. Lovely touch. Got that knack for waxing defenders. Jelacic only played twice as a sub for Brisbane Roar last season but was strong at NPL level and could be a bolter when the All Whites return in two months. As much as anything to keep his birth nation’s grubby mitts off him.
It’s been pretty buzzy watching the stuff that the USA women’s footy team have been posting since they’ve landed in Aotearoa. From the haka they received in welcome to just simply seeing them training with North Harbour Stadium in the background.
(If only I had a dollar for every time I’ve had to do this exact same boring and pointless ‘pass and then run to the end of the opposite line’ training drill in my life, I swear to God...)
I’ve already previewed that series, read that here (literally nobody else is gonna give you the deets like The Niche Cache will give you the deets) but here’s an update: Lily Alfeld has had a setback in her injury return which has led to Brianna Edwards being added to the squad.
Curious how that affects BE’s Nix duties as there’s a game against Canberra on the weekend for which they’re already going to be missing several players and if Alfeld’s injured then Edwards and Georgia Candy remain the only goalies in the squad. Then again, Edwards is in as a backup keeper so there’s no reason not to release her for that second game. Get her into training tomorrow (after returning from Perth), have her on the bench to soak up the experience, and hope that’s the final banker in eliminating any possibility of switching allegiances back to Aussie.
Also into the group is Indiah-Paige Riley after that goal-scoring return to the A-League. Not sure why she wasn’t in the squad in the first place other than some uncertainty about her future prior to that transfer being sorted out. Well, it’s been sorted out and now she’s been added to the squad. At a guess, probably only for game one given that Brisbane are playing away to Western United on Saturday. That wasn’t clear from the social media update – IPR’s presence brings it up to a 27-woman squad so it’s clear there’ll be big changes from one game to the next. We know Betsy Hassett and Grace Neville can only play the first match and we know that several of the late travellers, including the players from the Perth vs Wellington game, could be limited in game one.
Apparently the game in Wellington on Wednesday will be game 716 in the history of the USWNT and the first that they’ve ever played in New Zealand. No surprises there but it is a shock to see that NZ will become only the 27th unique nation in which the Americans have played. That’s... not a lot of destinations for the perennial best team in the world. Obviously a large portion of their fixtures are at home where they can draw big crowds and make some cash but damn this team needs to get to Europe more often.
This dates back to 1985 when the USA played their first fixture. Shame on them because Aotearoa can trace its full international status back a full ten years earlier... albeit for only 281 total games. Yet even in that deficient tally of games the Fernies have still played in all of these unique countries (these stats are drawn from the always excellent resource that is Ultimate NZ Soccer, of course):
Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, New Caledonia, China, USA, India, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Cyprus, Switzerland, Wales, England, Canada, Norway, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain & France
That’s 26 nations in fewer than half the fixtures that the USA have taken to reach the same tally (24 if you wanna get all Chinese Nationalist about it and count Hong Kong and Taiwan/Chinese Taipei as part of China). Oddly, quite a few of the bigger countries represented there haven’t actually been for games against the hosts. Lots of tournaments and split-the-distance neutral ground friendlies for the Footy Ferns over the years.
There’s still zero evidence that this compromised Ferns team can challenge the world champs... but I do wanna reiterate that there are players missing from the USA too. Most through injury, a couple because the new coach has tried to freshen things up. They have two double-centurions in this squad (Becky Sauerbrunn & Alex Morgan), two more centurions (Crystal Dunn & Lindsey Horan)... but also 16/24 players with fewer than 50 caps and 10/24 with fewer than 20 caps. Their caps are not the same as our caps – levels and whatnot – and we only have four players with 50+ in this under-strength squad (Ali Riley, Erin Nayler, Betsy Hassett & Anna Green)... but, you know, it’s not quite the USA in prime World Cup final form or anything. So that’s a merciful blessing.
Should actually be a fascinating look at a few next generation stars such as Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez, Naomi Girma, Taylor Kornieck, and Emily Fox. Pity we won’t get a glimpse at the premier American emerging talent Alyssa Thompson (18yo, Angel City FC). Thompson had already played twice for the USWNT before she was drafted first overall (by Ali Riley’s team) last week. An absolute phenom. She had a full name/image/likeness deal with Nike while still at high school.