Podcast appearances and mentions of tom blundell

In this episode of the Top Order Podcast it's a Black Caps focused show as Raj and Stu look back at New Zealand's performances in 2024 take stock of where the side is at heading into a relatively quiet 2025. We open the show by reviewing the 2024 results, which paint a picture of a middling side that had a big gap between their best performances and their worst ones, before discussing a bowling attack that saw some big changes over the past 12 months with the retirements of Neil Wagner and Tim Southee, plus the emergence of the likes of Will O'Rourke and Ben Sears. We also discuss the spin stocks and whether this is an area of concern. As we move to the batting department, there's plenty to discuss - primarily the lack of runs by the majority of the core group of players. We talk about Devon Conway, Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson and many others, plus the central contracting system and how New Zealand Cricket are managing the competing pull of franchise leagues. To round out the show, we look ahead to a 2025 fixture list that looks quite bare after the Champions Trophy to consider where we'd like the side to be by the end of the year.. We'll be back in your feed again later in the week or early next with our regular This Week in Cricket show. Until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website. You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening. 0:00 Intro: Black Caps' 2024 results 2:55 Thoughts on 2024 as a whole 6:20 NZ's pace-bowling refresh 10:50 Are the spin-bowling stocks a concern? 20:30 Batting depth 22:25 Devon Conway - are we still optimistic about his international future? 25:30 Tom Blundell & wicketkeeping position moving forward 29:55 Casual and central contracts 38:20 Will Young - can he cement a spot in 2025? 42:25 Glenn Phillips - what should his role be in this NZ side? 45:40 Rachin Ravindra's development 51:10 Kane Williamson's form and future 55:20 NZ's fixtures in 2025 and hopes for the year 1:07:22 Coaching situation and ideal potential candidates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kane Williamson has been dismissed for 156 - after recording his 33rd test century - as New Zealand build an imposing lead over England on day three of the third test in Hamilton. Moments ago the Black Caps were 353 for five, leading by 557, with Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell at the crease. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks the match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand England Daily, 2nd Test, Wellington Day 3: That's a paddlin. Blimey. And just like that England have romped home. Joe Root and Tom Blundell make tons, but it's England's match and series. Their first in New Zealand since 2008. Jeremy Coney and Cameron Ponsonby review the highs and lows for each team respectively. Come to our live shows! Brisbane December 12 Melbourne December 22 Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword This Is Hypnobirthing Insta @thisishypnobirthing Or email: hello@thisishypnobirthing.com if you/someone you know is having a baby and you reckon this would help them, as it did Rach and Adam when they had their girls. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the show, Baldy & Stu look back with contrasting emotions at the week (or three days) that was after Australia's convincing win against India and New Zealand once again collapsing against England. We start the show on a happy note for Baldy by discussing a turnaround in fortunes for Australia during the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. Scott Boland picked up where Josh Hazlewood left off, Mitchell Starc's radar was on from ball one and Pat Cummins also played his part in a dominant performance from the Aussie quicks. We also saw valuable contributions from Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney, a hundred from Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy continue to look very comfortable at Test level. There's also discussion about why batters are struggling so much at the moment when the ball moves around, and the topsy-turvy nature of Test cricket results all over the world. In the second half of the show, it was rinse and repeat for England as Harry Brook and then Brydon Carse took centre stage again and the Black Caps crumbled under the pressure. In fact, England were so dominant we didn't even mention that Gus Atkinson took a hat-trick! There's praise for Joe Root, Jacob Bethell & Nathan Smith, Tom Blundell's return to form, a conversation about England winning the tactical battle, and unfortunately more selection questions for New Zealand with Tim Southee and Devon Conway in particular under the spotlight. We'll be back in your feed again next week with more news and views from both these exciting series. Until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website. You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com.   Thanks for listening. 0:00 Intro 1:30 Australia's bowlers set the tone for a big win against India 5:00 Scott Boland steps in and doesn't miss a beat 6:45 Why are batters struggling so much in the longer format? 9:35 Key partnership from Marnus Labuschagne & Nathan McSweeney 16:10 Travis Head breaks loose 19:10 Pat Cummins' contribution 20:45 Nitish Kumar Reddy looks ready for Test cricket 24:00 Is India's batting lineup dangerous or fragile? 30:10 Rohit Sharma the middle-order batter 34:35 Test cricket results are all over the place 36:55 Looking ahead to Brisbane 40:15 Black Caps v England reaction 42:25 Harry Brook's performance, along with Ollie Pope 48:00 England winning the tactical battle against NZ 51:05 England targeting Tim Southee 57:20 New Zealand's batting woes, particularly Devon Conway 1:06:25 Tom Blundell's hundred 1:10:10 Changes for the Black Caps? 1:14:45 Jacob Bethell and Joe Root Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dulux Cricket Update featuring, Tom Latham & Tom Blundell thoughts post second test loss v England, Smithy's take on the series so far, winning Captain Ben Stokes post-match press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Monday 9th December 2024. Big developments in Syria have seen rebel forces take over the capital. Otago University Middle East Expert Dr Leon Goldsmith joins the show. The Greens have released their emissions reduction plan - will it ever be put in place? Party MP Steve Abel has the details. Not a great day for Liam Lawson on the race track as a decision on his furure looms and Tom Blundell hits a ton despite the Black Caps loosing - Elliott Smith has your weekend sport wrap. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six dropped catches spoilt New Zealand's fielding and the chance to remove England cheaply on the second day of the first cricket test in Christchurch. The visitors are 319 for five in reply to the hosts' 348 with Harry Brook 132 and Ben Stokes 37. Brook was spilt four times - Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes survived other blemishes. The culprits, in no particular order, were Tom Latham – times three - Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway and Tom Blundell. Phillips redeemed himself with a one-handed dive to his right at gully to dismiss - and astonish - Ollie Pope on 77. NZME Cricket Commentator Andrew Alderson joined D'Arcy to preview day 3 of the test. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

England have brought themselves back into the game late on day one of the first cricket test against New Zealand in Christchurch. Soon after removing Kane Williamson for 93 - the visitors have taken the wicket of Tom Blundell for 17 - bringing debutant Nathan Smith to the crease. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

England have brought themselves back into the game late on day one of the first cricket test against New Zealand in Christchurch. Soon after removing Kane Williamson for 93 - the visitors have taken the wicket of Tom Blundell for 17 - bringing debutant Nathan Smith to the crease who departed for just 3. Former Blackcap Shane Bond joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to review day 1 of the test. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell admits the allure of another World Test Championship final is lingering in the thoughts of the Black Caps ahead of their opening test against England starting tomorrow in Christchurch. A 3-nil whitewash of the visitors - backing up their series sweep in India - would give New Zealand the best possible chance of making the final, if other results go their way. Blundell says it's in the back of their minds. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Niche Cast we start by breaking down the National League football finals and updating the latest youngsters to play for Tall Blacks, before rolling through a hefty New Zealand vs England Test series preview. Nathan Smith seems likely to debut in Christchurch, Glenn Phillips might be underrated and Tom Blundell is out of form but he loves batting against England. There are a few Plunket Shield notes such as Rhys Mariu now averaging 60 odd as well. All three kiwi A-League teams had wins over the weekend so we discuss the impressive young Wellington Phoenix players like Isaac Hughes, Corbin Piper and Nathan Walker, Auckland FC's defensive excellence and the first win for Phoenix women. We finish with a few quick Kiwi-NRL nuggets about Te Hurinui Twidle rising with Parramatta Eels and Sosaia Alatini/Cassius Tia rising with Bulldogs.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/elnichecacheNewsletter twice a week: https://thenichecache.substack.comHook us up with a brew: https://buymeacoffee.com/thenichecacheSay kia ora: thenichecache@gmail.comwww.theniche-cache.com(00:00) Intro(00:28) National League finals(13:42) Mindfulness(14:56) Tall Blacks(23:02) Blackcaps vs England(01:10:29) Wellington Phoenix & Auckland FC(01:39:31) Wellington Phoenix Women(01:45:35) Te Hurinui Twidle, Sosaia Alatini, Cassius Tia

Blackcaps Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell catches up with Riccardo to talk about their historic series win in India, having the best seat in the house to witness Santner's bag of wickets, 3rd test expectations & more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missed the show this morning? No worries, catch all the action right here from @SENZMornings with Riccardo Ball featuring, Jamie Wall, Talkback Time, Mornings Multi, Tim Payne, News Clippings, Alex Chapman, Tom Blundell, Nick Quinn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blackcaps Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell catches up with Riccardo to talk about their historic series win in India, having the best seat in the house to witness Santner's bag of wickets, 3rd test expectations & more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Black Caps have suffered a fourth consecutive test loss, after an innings and 154-run defeat by Sri Lanka in their second match in Galle. Resuming their second innings at 199 for five on day four, the visitors were dismissed for 360, which included half centuries by Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains what this loss means for their future chances. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A century by Black Caps wicketkeeper Tom Blundell has put Wellington in a good position after two days of what is the Plunket Shield decider in Hamilton. 

New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell says he's raring to go for the first test against South Africa.

Black Caps wicketkeeper Tom Blundell says he'll play in this weekend's first test against South Africa at Mt Maunganui.

Black Caps wicketkeeper Tom Blundell says he'll play in this weekend's first test against South Africa at Mt Maunganui.

In this episode of the show, Stu and Baldy journey from Hyderabad to Adelaide and East London before we return to Aotearoa New Zealand while we review the week that was and look ahead to a full schedule of Test cricket just around the corner.We start the show with the recent news from the India v England series, which has seen the withdrawal of both Virat Kohli and Harry Brook from at least the first two Tests, and the visa concerns for Shoaib Bashir, which may well have cost him a Test debut. We also discuss reports suggesting England might line up at Hyderabad with Mark Wood as the only seamer in the side.It's off to Australia after that, to discuss the home side's victory in the first Test against the West Indies. We saw runs for Travis Head, wickets for Josh Hazlewood and a comprehensive win for Australia, but it was a West Indian debutant, Shamar Joseph, who earned at least some of the limelight after his performance in Adelaide. There's also a nod to Jake Fraser-McGurk's selection for the upcoming ODIs, plus praise for Josh Brown and his exploits for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL.After a quick detour to South Africa to talk about Matt Rowe, Mankads and the under-19 World Cup, we return to New Zealand to talk through selection options for the Black Caps as they prepare for the Proteas' Test tour. How much does South Africa's squad diminish the interest levels? Who should keep wicket for New Zealand if Tom Blundell isn't fit for the first Test? Should the Black Caps also give opportunities to fringe players? Is Devon Conway human after all? And is this a big series for Neil Wagner?We'll be back again next week with more news and views, including recaps of the India v England and Australia v West Indies Tests, but until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Finn Allen, Sophie Devine and Rachin Ravindra, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com.Thanks for listening.

The Sports Desk with Louis Herman-Watt. Louis has compiled some of the sports action from around the world, so you don't have to do the digging including, Tom Blundell injury update, LIV Golf, AFCON update & more  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Black Caps have pulled off one of the all-time great test cricket victories, beating England by one run on the final day of the second match at the Basin Reserve. Neil Wagner finished with four wickets for the innings and took the final scalp of James Anderson, caught behind by Tom Blundell. New Zealand have become only the fourth team to win a test after following on. Neil Wagner says today's victory will stay with him for a very long time after the fact, especially with the challenging conditions in the lead up to the match.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show, we look back at a host of topsy-turvy results at the IPL and the Black Caps tour to Pakistan, which finished with a New Zealand victory in the final ODI.For all our jokes about the IPL, the 2023 edition is delivering incredible finish after incredible finish. The only constant is drama - and the Gujarat Titans winning - with all 10 teams still in the hunt for a top 4 spot. The Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals were terrible, now they are the form teams, while the Lucknow Super Giants and Trent Boult's Rajasthan Royals are on the slide. We discuss impactful performances from Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Glenn Phillips, Jos Buttler and Wriddiman Saha - plus the arguably less positive impact made by Virat Kohli.In the second half of the episode, we look at the positives from the Black Caps' ODI series with Pakistan, and ponder the World Cup selection questions that still remain unanswered. Should New Zealand favour specialists like Will Young, Mark Chapman, Tom Blundell and Ish Sodhi? Or lean towards allrounders like Jimmy Neesham, Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra? Has Adam Milne done enough to take Lockie Ferguson's spot as the designated speedster? And does Devon Conway need to pack his wicketkeeping gloves or not?We'll be back next week with more from the IPL and other news from around the world, including the build-up to the World Test Championship Final and the Ashes. In the meantime, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website, and our recent episodes (plus a few from the backlist) are available on YouTube - we're slowly chipping away at populating this channel.You can also dip back into our conversations with special guests - including Finn Allen, Mike Hussey, Sophie Devine, Dean Foxcroft, Shane Bond, Katey Martin, Dion Nash, Matt Henry, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com.Thanks for listening.

The Black Caps opener Tom Blundell concedes they didn't produce a big enough partnership to challenge Pakistan in this morning's 26 run loss in the third one-dayer in Karachi, which handed the hosts a 3-nil series win with two games to spare.

The Sports Desk. Louis Herman-Watt has compiled some of the sports action from around the globe, so you don't have to do the digging including, the leading cricketers of the year with Darryl Mitchell & Tom Blundell making the cut & Jalen Hurts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three years after playing his last one day international for the Black Caps, wicketkeeper Tom Blundell is looking forward to returning to the format in today's third and final ODI against Sri Lanka in Hamilton. With several of the Black Caps one day squad away at the Indian Premier League, Blundell will add to the only two previous one day internationals he's played - and with the 50 over world cup later this year he has a chance to stake a claim.

In this episode of the show, Binksy, Baldy and Stu reflect on an incredible Test match between England and New Zealand, which saw the Black Caps win by a single run.We discuss the key moments and players, including Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Ben Foakes, Tom Blundell and, of course, Neil Wagner. The panel also looks ahead to NZ's next assignment, against Sri Lanka, in a week's time.We finish the show with a shout-out to yet another tournament win for the incredible Australian Women's side at the T20 World Cup, and decide that if it weren't for Ravi Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel then the Border-Gavaskar Trophy would probably be quite a closely fought series. We'll be back next week to review the third Test between India and Australia, plus preview the Black Caps v Sri Lanka. In the meantime, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website, and a few of our episodes are available on YouTube - we're slowly chipping away at populating this channel.You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including recent conversations with Cam Fletcher, Luke Wright and Dean Foxcroft, plus chats with Wasim Khan, Shane Bond, Mike Hussey, Matt Henry, Sophie Devine, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.If you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com.Thanks for listening.

Well, that was wild.Phil Walker, Ben Gardner, Katya Witney and Yas Rana review one of the most remarkable Test matches of all time, as New Zealand beat England by one run at Wellington. Mammoth knocks from Harry Brook and Joe Root put England in a commanding position, and an excellent first innings showing from England's bowlers led to Ben Stokes enforcing the follow on. From that point onwards, New Zealand produced a near faultless display. Kane Williamson and Tom Blundell starred with the bat, before an inspired bowling performance from New Zealand's seamers - particularly Neil Wagner - helped the hosts seal the most dramatic of victories on day five. The panel also discuss England's white-ball tour of Bangladesh and the conclusion of the Women's T20 World Cup, as Australia asserted their dominance once again to become world champions for a sixth time. Mark Butcher joins the show to reflect on the Wellington Test and the 2023 Pakistan Super League. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Workplaces across the country ground to a halt yesterday afternoon as New Zealand edged closer to a remarkable test cricket win over England at Wellington's Basin Reserve. People were glued to their TVs or the radio as the Black Caps secured a thrilling one-run win when wicketkeeper Tom Blundell dived to his right to cradle a catch, dismissing Jimmy Anderson off the bowling of Neil Wagner. It was only the second time in test cricket history that a team won by one-run, and just the fourth time a team came back to win after being asked to follow-on and immediately bat again after the first innings. Black Caps wicketkeeper Tom Blundell spoke to Corin Dann.  

Black Caps coach Gary Stead has called it. He thinks the one-run victory over England at the Basin Reserve yesterday will go down as New Zealand's greatest test win. Stead coached the Black Caps to the first-ever World Test Championship when they beat India in 2021 but he told the Mike Hosking Breakfast on Newstalk ZB that yesterday's win, and the fact they had to follow on, tops that victory in Southampton. The Black Caps became just the fourth team to win a test match after being forced to follow-on and the second team to win by the smallest possible margin in terms of runs. “It was pretty surreal really. It was an amazing test match. It was gripping it had everything in it. I think it was a great advertisement for test cricket,” he told Hosking.  “Obviously winning the World Test Championship was obviously up there, because it was such a pinnacle event. But for that itself, that game being forced to follow on. I think it will go down as New Zealand's greatest victory.” New Zealand were bowled out for 209 in their first innings, in response to England's 435 for eight declared. Because the Black Caps were more than 200 runs behind, England were able to enforce the follow-on and make New Zealand begin their second innings. Kane Williamson (132), Tom Blundell (90) and Tom Latham (83) all played major roles as the home side set England 258 to win. England began the final day needing 210 to win with nine wickets in hand to complete a 2-0 series victory. “We thought we had a chance. I mean, we talked after day to where we were a long way behind the game and just keep trying to fight and put our ourselves into positions where we could apply pressure at different times and get ourselves into the last day when anything can happen. Day five is it's traditionally a day that things can change quickly and look, I mean, I'm just so proud of the guys and the way they hang in there. Stead backed his side's style of play as they handed Brendon McCullum's England team just their second loss since the Black Caps great took over as coach and introduced a more aggressive gameplan. “Many different methods can win cricket matches,” Stead said. “To us we stuck true to what we believe in and I guess the personalities of our players as well. ”There's been a lot of people around the country doing it a lot worse than us recently so to be able to put smiles on people's faces, means a lot,” Stead added.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps have pulled off one of the all-time great test cricket victories, beating England by one run on the final day of the second match at the Basin Reserve. Neil Wagner finished with four wickets for the innings and took the final scalp of James Anderson, caught behind by Tom Blundell. New Zealand have become only the fourth team to win a test after following on. Neil Wagner says today's victory will stay with him for a very long time after the fact, especially with the challenging conditions in the lead up to the match.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand have beaten England by one run in their second cricket test at Wellington. They've levelled the contest 1-all and extended their home record to 11 series undefeated. Neil Wagner coaxed James Anderson into edging a ball down the legside to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell who dived and took a heroic catch for the final wicket. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave says this one run victory is a historic event in New Zealand sport. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

QUICK LISTEN | “It was a keeper's thing and then BJ organised a limo, got the bowlers in there.” Blackcaps Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell on how he & the Blackcaps bowling unit celebrated together after the win at the Basin Reserve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blackcaps Wicket-keeper Tom Blundell joined the show to reflect on their historic one run win against England.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blackcaps Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell catches up with Smithy to talk about yesterday's 2nd test match win over the red-hot England Cricket, how he saw it play-out from behind the stumps & more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elliott catches up with former Blackcap wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan to reflect on another crucial knock from Tom Blundell. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan Agnew, Steve Finn and Stephan Shemilt reflect on a fascinating day's play in Mount Manganui, New Zealand. Stuart Broad's bonkers 'Nighthawk' innings is the topic on everyone's lips, but we also hear from Ollie Robinson, who bowled very well to take four wickets. But it was a strong day from New Zealand, too, led by 138 from Tom Blundell. Plus we hear from England bowler Lauren Bell at the T20 World Cup after she was picked up in the Women's IPL auction.

Neil Manthorp is joined by the former England fast bowler Steve Harmison and the New Zealand Cricket commentator Dan McHardy to look back at Day 2 of the first Test between New Zealand and England, with England closing on 79-2, a lead of 98 runs. They reflect on an even day at the Mount, look ahead to a crucial Day 3, and hear exclusively from both the England bowler Ollie Robinson, and the New Zealand centurion Tom Blundell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the show, Binksy, Baldy and Stu recap the second day of the first Test between the Black Caps and England at Bay Oval.We talk Tom Blundell's superb hundred, English bowling plans and the Nighthawk as NZ edged their way back into this Test as we approach day 3.We'll be back again around the same time tomorrow to review day three, but please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website, and a few of our episodes are available on YouTube - we're slowly chipping away at populating this channel.You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including recent conversations with Cam Fletcher and Luke Wright, plus chats with Shane Bond, Mike Hussey, Sophie Devine, Colin Munro, Finn Allen, Barry Richards and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com.Thanks for listening.

In this special Christmas Eve version of Weekend Sport, we have plenty of updates, interviews, and talkback featured here today! Highlights include:  NZ Softball with Mark Sorenson. Black Caps featuring Devon Conway, Tom Blundell, and Michael Bracewell. Wellington Phoenix wrap up with Ufuk Talay. Wellington Cricket CEO Cam Mitchell. The great Honey Badger, Nick Cummins on the Black Clash. Sarah Jacobs, WLG Cricket Museum curator. Jacob Spoonley, former All White. Will Johnston, ground announcer at Basin Reserve. Sofia Huerta, US women's footballer ahead of next year's World Cup. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, a stunning first-up win over Australia at the T20 world cup, rain in Melbourne prevents a repeat, test keeper Tom Blundell takes over the Firebird captaincy and celebrates with a win and angry fans in the Caribbean want heads to roll after they failed to qualify for the super 12, Barbados commentator Andrew Mason calls in.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By Andrew Alderson at HeadingleyThe synonym jar is almost empty to describe the narrow margins in the cricket test series between England and New Zealand.The same applies in the third and final test at Headingley. The visitors hanker to claim something tangible as runners-up, yet the hosts' nerve have consistently held to win the key moments.Stumps on the fourth day brought that same sense of familiarity. England had moved to 183 for two in the chase for 296 with Joe Root 55 and Ollie Pope 81 after New Zealand were dismissed for 326.Under normal circumstances that would mark a challenging target in a fourth innings, but given the current Baz-ball enlightenment period under new coach Brendon McCullum, nothing is beyond the realm.England have already hauled in 277 and 299 at Lord's and Trent Bridge respectively. A calculated gamble looms across 90 overs – but more likely fewer - on the final day. So far they are cruising.Root's highlight came reverse scooping Neil Wagner for six to bring up England's 100. Such audacity must surely make the short-list for the eighth wonder of the world as the forward defence hurtles towards extinction.New Zealand's lowlight came with dud lbw reviews against Root from consecutive deliveries in the 14th over.The wickets came via a combined piece of Trent Boult-Kane Williamson alley-oop brilliance from mid-off to run out Alex Lees at the non-striker's end in a mix-up with Zak Crawley. Williamson was again in the action to catch Crawley miscuing Michael Bracewell. New Zealand's Kane Williamson calls for DRS. Photo / PhotosportThe onus goes on the off-spinner to extract the increasing turn and variable bounce in the second innings. His figures of one for 70 from 11 overs means the scrutiny is intensifying, as England target him as a vulnerable link.The idea of anointing him to scythe through the opposition order in his second test was queried from the outset, given he had 30 first-class wickets at an average of 46.83 heading into the match.That's exacerbated due to left-arm orthodox Ajaz Patel, the third man in test history to take 10 wickets in an innings last December against India at Mumbai, sitting in the pavilion. He has bowled two overs since his 14-225 match feat.Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell eked out crucial runs, as has become customary across the series.Initially they offered nothing flashy, just positive intent. Then came some flourishes.Mitchell reverse swept Root with relish to break up his spin rhythm and Blundell, the consummate touch player, started whipping balls away using the power of his wrists.The pair produced a 113-run sixth-wicket stand to take the Black Caps to 274 before Mitchell was adjudged lbw to Matthew Potts for 56. His 538 runs at an average of 107.60 are the most by an overseas cricketer in a series of three tests or fewer in England. That's some feat when you consider tests have been played in the country for 142 years.The odd dicey moment pervaded. Mitchell was adjudged lbw to Jack Leach on 17 at 206 for six, but a review prompted DRS to reveal a BFG-like stride forward and the ball hitting the knee roll. The predictive path bounced over the stumps.Blundell was found lbw four balls prior to Mitchell's dismissal, again to the tenacious Potts in the same 91st over, but the angle from over the wicket suggested the ball was missing leg stump.He finished 88 not out.Potts finished with three for 66 from 25 overs, while Jack Leach mopped up the tail to take his second five-wicket bag of five for 66, and earn match figures of 10-166.Mitchell and Blundell faced the second most deliveries of any partnership during a series in test history. At stumps that had come from a sample size of 46,797…Their 1417 balls is only bettered by Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper's 1511, also across six innings when India visited the West Indies in 2002.The pair's fourth resurrection of a New Zealand innings across the tour brought them into exulted company...

The Final Word Daily is brought to you by Advanced Hair Studio. To receive 15% off click on the link! http://advancedhairstudio.com/finalword/ New Zealand eventually bowled out England for 360 in Yorkshire. The visitors ended the day 168/5 - with Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell still at the crease. The Final Word will be at every day of Test cricket in this series, with Adam Collins, Geoff Lemon and Daniel Norcross at stumps doing The Day in 30 Seconds, The Hall of Fame, and covering all of the action.

The Final Word Daily is brought to you by Advanced Hair Studio. To receive 15% off click on the link! http://advancedhairstudio.com/finalword/ Groundhog Day! England started the day brilliantly in Yorkshire, picking up 4 wickets. But they struggled to remove Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell yet again who will be at the crease on day 2. The Final Word will be at every day of Test cricket in this series, with Adam Collins, Geoff Lemon and Daniel Norcross at stumps doing The Day in 30 Seconds, The Hall of Fame, and covering all of the action.

Jonathan Agnew is joined by Alistair Cook and Jeremy Coney to discuss an intriguing start to the third Test at Headingley which saw Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell put on an unbeaten 102 for the sixth wicket after the tourists were reduced to 123-5 at tea.

England vs New Zealand, 3rd Test 2022England are winning with a new-look side in terms of their captain and coach whereas New Zealand despite playing a similar side that won them the first test championship have failed to win two close games so far in the series.Though England were a bit lucky to chase down 277 and 299 in the fourth innings in the consecutive tests, it showed their changed mindset in Tests as they have done in ODIs in the recent past. New Zealand's batting has failed them, especially the top four. Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell have been the saviours for them.Match ResultFor this match, it's 2-1 in favour of New Zealand with Ben and Rohit favouring New Zealand while Manish expects England to continue to do well.Best BatsmanJoe Root is the obvious choice given the form he is in but Rohit thinks it will be Daryll Mitchell for New Zealand who will steal the show with the bat.Best BowlerThe opinion is divided among Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Ben and Rohit back Southee whereas Manish thinks it will be Trent Boult who has 12 wickets in the series so far.Man Of the MatchManish favoured Ben Stokes as he pretty much owns Headingley. Whereas it was Tim Southee for Ben and Rohit.Hope you enjoyed this episode. For more detailed analysis click here - England vs New Zealand, 3rd Test 2022

England V New Zealand 1st test review as England got the new red ball era under Brendon McCullum & Ben Stokes underway with a win.Both England and New Zealand got rolled in the first innings with Jimmy Anderson staring with the ball - he was superbly supported by debutant Matty Potts.Daryl Mitchell hit a century as well as 96 from Tom Blundell as they set England 277 to win.Joe Root topped 10000 test runs and scored his 26th century as he took England home to their first victory in over 250 days.The new era of England Cricket is here and today were review everything that went on, the players, the moment, the stars and where England go from here.https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LeadingEdgePod**********Leading Edge Cricket Links**********

Some of the topics we discuss are: - Matt Parkinson vs Jack Leach: who is England's long term spinner ? - Matty Potts Stunning Debut - Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell's 150+ run partnership in between chaotic batting

What a brilliant test match....if you're an England fan! One of the worst first day displays of test batting in recent history saw 17 wickets fall! After that, a fighting display from three batsmen - Darryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell and Joe Root made this test match a real eye catcher. #cricketpodcast #engvsnz #cnq #joeroot

Jonathan Agnew, Michael Vaughan and Jeremy Coney discuss a testing day for England as Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell combined to give New Zealand a 227 run lead after Day 2.

New Zealand have surged back from adversity on the opening day of the first test against England at Lord's.The visitors were dismissed for 132 and looked to have conceded first innings honours to the hosts who reached 59 without loss and kept the momentum going to 92 for two.Then, in the space of 28 balls, the world champions took five wickets for eight runs to reshape the balance of the match.England were 116 for seven at stumps with Ben Foakes and Stuart Broad the not-out batsmen.The attack of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme and Kyle Jamieson shared the spoils by bowling in attacking partnerships.Initially, the value of a first-class diet leading into the test series made a robust case.The host XI featured 10 players – with Jonny Bairstow the Indian Premier League returning exception – who have toiled in white through the English autumn.The visitors had two – Will Young for Northamptonshire and Colin de Grandhomme for Surrey – slotting into that category.De Grandhomme top-scoring with 42 not out felt like no accident. The Black Caps' anaemic effort was riddled with tentativeness and indecision, which saw the top four each offer spoils to the slip cordon to reduce them to 12 for four.Captain Kane Williamson won the toss and made what appeared a logical decision to bat. The taupe pitch looked ripe for runs, on the proviso the first session could be negotiated.England's pace bowler custodians James Anderson and Broad, along with debutant Matthew Potts, ensured it couldn't. Youngster Matthew Potts took four wickets on debut for England. Photo / PhotosportSmarting from recent dubious handling by the selectors, the rhythm of Anderson and tenacity of Broad unleashed contagion on the New Zealand dressing room before Potts brought unbridled bustle.The instruction from the new coach-captain combination of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes to play with freedom helped release any pent-up tactical confusion - although the same policy had limits with the bat.Bairstow contributed to the domination with three catches at third slip as part of a cordon which eventually peaked at five slips and a gully. A leg slip also cameoed at one point as the attacking umbrella bloomed.One can only imagine the rustling of gear bags, crackling of velcro and the clattering of spikes down the home and visitors' stairwells in the pavilion across the day with 17 wickets falling and players turning the bacon-and-egg tie clad Long Room into a revolving door.Tellingly in the Black Caps innings, 59 of the first 66 balls leading to the first drinks were dots or wickets. New Zealand's batting was guilty of hesitancy outside off stump, but England executed their bowling and fielding with precision.The Black Caps top order formed what resembled a Fibonacci sequence – Will Young 1, Tom Latham 1, Kane Williamson 2, Devon Conway 3. Oh, the relief when Daryl Mitchell moved from five to nine with a rare boundary.That joy was brief.The knowledgeable Lord's crowd had just finished a round of applause as New Zealand moved to 27 for four – past their own world record lowest score of 26 from 1955 - when Mitchell chopped on to Potts for 13.The right-armer also had Williamson caught behind by Ben Foakes. The captain's soft hands failed him once too often.Potts also seared through Tom Blundell's stumps for 14 and pouched two catches at long leg off Anderson before an adoring Mound Stand.He took four for 13 from 9.2 overs before suffering cramp. Anderson finished with four for 66 from 16 overs.New Zealand had already endured what they hoped was a cosmetic blemish, slipping to 19 for six against the First-Class Counties XI at Chelmsford, so this presented a further blow to their batting credibility.The argument that McCullum's appointment might have spooked the visitors is also too simplistic.In a global cricketing village anyone could gather intellectual property which might prove parlous to the New Zealand cause. Such analysis would see...

This week on the show we review a great week for both the Black Caps and the White Ferns, as well as a host of other topics as we look back at the week that was. We start by discussing the amazing performance from Matt Henry, which saw him record the third-best bowling figures in a Test innings for New Zealand, as well as smashing a quick 50 at #11. There's praise for Tim Southee, Tom Blundell and Colin de Grandhomme as well as Gary Stead for his decision to promote Neil Wagner to #5 in the absence of Kane Williamson. But will South Africa bounce back in the second Test? We remain in Aotearoa to chat about the White Ferns, who have looked more and more impressive with every game of their series against India, highlighted by contributions from many different players within the squad. Then it's a quick look at the domestic scene, with the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and the Ford Trophy up for grabs this weekend. As we venture offshore, we discuss a changing of the guard for the Indian Test team, with Pujara, Rahane, Saha and Ishant all left out. There are questions around the Australian white ball team, despite winning their T20 series 4-1 against a Sri Lankan side that showed a lot of promise. Will Aaron Finch make it to the next T20 World Cup? And how much is the IPL going to impact international tours for both Australia and New Zealand? We'll be back in your feed again later this week with a special guest to preview the Women's World Cup. In the meantime, if you haven't already, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on https://twitter.com/Toporderpod (Twitter) and https://www.facebook.com/Toporderpod (Facebook), & @thetoporderpodcast on https://www.instagram.com/thetoporderpodcast/ (Instagram)) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our https://www.thetoporderpodcast.com/ (website), and a few of our episodes are available on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo3GSknJELxxH4IDec2AjUA (YouTube) - we're slowly chipping away at populating this channel. You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Tim Southee, Mike Hussey, Frankie Mackay, Firdose Moonda, Barry Richards and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening.

Another historic day for Ajaz Patel was not enough to prevent India from edging closer to a crushing second-test victory in Mumbai. Patel picked up four more wickets to go with the perfect 10 he took in the first innings as India declared on 276-7 midway through the third day. That gave the hosts a commanding 539-run lead and, in the half hour before tea, Tom Latham was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin for six. Will Young (20) and Ross Taylor (six) departed quickly after tea, but Daryl Mitchell (60) and Henry Nicholls (36 not out) added 73 for the fourth wicket to wrestle back some respectability and send the test to the fourth day. Mitchell fell in the final hour though, as did Tom Blundell, run out for a duck in a shocking mix-up, leaving the Black Caps at 140-5, a whopping 400 runs away from victory and staring down the barrel of one of their largest defeats. India have left the Black Caps in a tangle after three days of the second test. Photo / AP The series will almost certainly belong to India but, in an unceasing schedule of international cricket, few will remember their 1-0 triumph once the next fixtures begin. What will live long in the memory is the remarkable efforts of Patel. After snaring four scalps on day one and completing the full first-innings set with six more on day two, Patel's one-man show rolled on during day three. His four wickets gave him overall figures of 14-225, leaving him behind only Sir Richard Hadlee's 15-123 against Australia in 1985 as the second-best match analysis by a New Zealand bowler. Patel's performance also counted as the best in tests against India - overtaking Ian Botham's 13-wicket haul in 1980 - which would have been impossible for him to imagine when growing up in Mumbai.  Ajaz Patel finished with 14 wickets. Photo / Photosport Although the spinner would have preferred his production lead to a different outcome, that was never likely after New Zealand, in reply to 325, had been skittled for 62 on day two. India had the match essentially won when they reached stumps on 69-0, choosing to spend day three racking up time in the middle ahead of a series against South Africa. That glorified batting practice at least presented Patel with the opportunity to add to his haul, one he seized before long. At the risk of being repetitive Patel was the only New Zealand bowler to enjoy success in the first session, the 33-year-old continuing to feast on the home cooking while his teammates found it a little less palatable. There were few signs of a comedown from his incredible high as Patel opened the bowling, sending down 12 consecutive overs while taking two more wickets. Mayank Agarwal was the first to go, holing out to Will Young. Cheteshwar Pujara then gave Patel an even dozen, edging a low catch to Ross Taylor as the hosts advanced to lunch on 142-2. Patel finally received a break from the bowling crease in the second session and, after 170 overs across both innings, another New Zealand bowler finally chipped in, Rachin Ravindra picking up his first test wickets to finish with 3-56. New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra, left, celebrates the dismissal of India's Virat Kohli with his teammates. Photo / AP But Patel wouldn't stay out of the action for long, needing two balls upon his reintroduction to remove Shreyas Iyer before making Jayant Yadav his 14th and final victim. 

This week on Wagon Wheel, Jarrod answers questions from our loveable Patreon sponsors, and questions from our attendees on KKR retaining Andre Russell, NZ's path to becoming a Test nation that plays more tests, different countries combining to form a transformer cricket team, a return to discussion about Ollie Pope, the comparative strength of different T20 leagues, a continued Rahane discussion, more talk of Test cricket strike rates, and a question about Tom Blundell's batting in the 2nd innings of the first test in India. - Each week, Jarrod Kimber hosts a live talk show on Spotify Greenroom, a live chat app that you can use to talk with Jarrod. You can join the conversation over there each week, just download Spotify Greenroom on your phone, and follow Jarrod Kimber. To support the podcast please go to our Patreon page. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32090121. Jarrod also now has a Buy Me A Coffee link, for those who would prefer to support the shows there: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jarrodkimber. If you like this podcast, you may enjoy other things I create, check them all out at https://linktr.ee/jarrodkimber. This podcast is edited, mixed and produced by Nick McCorriston, he's at https://www.nickamc.com and https://www.twitter.com/nickamc. - Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code REDINKER at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod

The Black Caps will begin the defence of their ICC World Test Championship title without the services of two of its best players, after Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme ruled themselves out of the upcoming series against India.A 15-strong squad has been named for the two-Test series - to be played in Kanpur from November 25-29 and Mumbai from December 3-7 - that features five spin options; including 21-year-old Rachin Ravindra who has the opportunity to make his Test debut.However, both Boult and de Grandhomme - two of the side's best performers over the past several years - have decided to opt out of the tour due to concerns over the amount of time that would be required to be spent in Covid quarantine facilities.Black Caps coach Gary Stead said their decisions were completely understandable as player welfare is paramount within the side."Trent has already spent the best part of 60 days in hard managed isolation this year, while Colin had been on the road since May until recently returning home from Pakistan," Stead stated in a press release."From talking to both players it was clear the best option for them was to be left out of this Test tour and for them to instead focus on being ready for the New Zealand home summer."The loss of Boult and De Grandhomme opens up an opportunity for the likes of Ravindra and all-rounders Glenn Phillips and Will Somerville.All three provide spin options for the Black Caps alongside recent regulars - conditions dependent - Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner.The rest of the squad has a familiar feel with the regular Test top five and Will Young filling the batting positions, and Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Kyle Jamieson providing the pace options.This series will also be the first without wicket-keeping stalwart BJ Watling after he retired following the WTC final win in England, with Tom Blundell set to take over the Test gloves.Stead said they'd very much taken a horses-for-courses approach when picking the tour squad."Touring India is one of the greatest experiences in cricket and I know our guys are really looking forward to the challenge," he said."It's fair to say we're expecting spin-friendly conditions and it's great to have a range of options in this department."The success of our spinners on recent tours to the sub-continent has been encouraging and we hope they can once again feature prominently."It's really exciting to begin the second instalment of the WTC and we know there'll be an extra incentive for all the teams we play following our win in the inaugural competition."Despite being the reigning World Test Championship champions, the Black Caps have never won a Test series on Indian soil.Meanwhile, the Black Caps will first face India in three T20 Internationals on November 17, 19 and 21 – with the current T20 World Cup squad carrying on for that series.Black Caps Test squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Will Somerville, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, Will Young.T20 squad: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.

How things can change in just three games.After an embarrassing first-up capitulation and the last-ball loss that followed, the Black Caps have gone full circle to spin their way to a crunching 52-run win in their third Twenty20 against Bangladesh, and stay alive in the five-match series.A rapid adaption to the conditions in Dhaka has caused the drastic turnaround, and after the bowlers showed promise in the first two clashes on the slow spinning wickets, this time the batsmen and the fielders backed them up in a display that earned Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie their first international victories.They were key contributors to the win as well, with Ravindra hitting 20 before taking a miserly 1-13 from his four overs, while McConchie returned his best T20 figures in his professional career with 3-15.Add in the star turn of Ajaz Patel, with 4-16, and the Black Caps ripped through Bangladesh for 76, a statement performance from a second-string team against a full-strength Bangladeshi side in their home conditions, and a result that continues a terrific turnaround.Playing on the same pitch that saw them routed for 60 in the opener, the Black Caps batsmen showed sharper skills to compile a total that looked maybe a touch below par, but still competitive.Coach Glenn Pocknall made the correct call by bringing in explosive opener Finn Allen at the expense of one of the many seamers in the squad, and after being 9-4 in the first match, in the third match the Black Caps had bashed 11 off the opening over.Allen's innings only lasted 10 balls, but he still showcased the immense promise he has as New Zealand's long-term opener in his breezy 15, while Ravindra and Will Young (both hitting 20 at a run-a-ball) managed to provide the Black Caps with their first platform of the tour.It nearly went to waste. Colin de Grandhomme and Tom Latham both departed cheaply, before Henry Nicholls and Tom Blundell attempted a dangerous rebuild, with the Black Caps going 45 balls between boundaries as they creaked to 88-5 with just four overs remaining.It was a mighty risk – with the big-hitting talents of McConchie and Scott Kuggeleijn still to come and more than capable of scoring quickly, it seemed a classic case of senior batsmen overestimating the importance of their wicket, and playing too conservatively.Had things gone awry with Blundell on 12 off 19 balls, the game may have shifted, but Nicholls and Blundell managed to execute their plan to near-perfection, smashing 40 off the last four overs in a 66-run stand off 57 balls that dragged the Black Caps to a defendable total.Henry Nicholls and Tom Blundell battled through for a pivotal partnership. Photo / PhotosportA loose start with the ball had Bangladesh well on their way at 23-0 after just 2.3 overs, but Liton Das was trapped lbw by McConchie, and from there it was remarkably one-way traffic.Patel leaked seven runs from his first over but took two wickets in his second, including the prized scalp of Shakib Al Hasan, who took a wild slog off the second ball he saw and was caught at long-on.Under fairly limited run-rate pressure, some of the early Bangladeshi batting was a bit baffling, but unlike in the second T20, this time the fielders didn't let the bowlers down, and made the hosts pay.Nicholls took two sharp low catches inside the circle, one of them to remove Mahmudullah as Patel took two wickets in two balls, reducing Bangladesh to 44-6 after 10 overs.From there, the result was never in doubt, and perhaps the greatest sign of New Zealand's all-around improvements came from Blundell, who made amends for his Friday fielding foibles with a superb tumbling catch in the deep, as the Black Caps cruised to a victory that has reignited the series.Text by Niall Anderson, NZ Herald

text by NZ HeraldIndia have seized the initiative in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand by naming their starting XI a day early.That's despite rain pouring at the venue, and the whole first day in doubt due to the forecast.India have opted for two spinning all-rounders and three seamers, paying no attention to the conditions or the "green tinge", as Black Caps captain Kane Williamson described, to the pitch.Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will be the rare spin pairing for India as captain Virat Kohli shrugged off the rainy forecast which could see a washout on the first day set to begin tonight."It does not change anything from our point of view as a team," Kohli said. "For us it's about covering all bases and making sure that we take the strongest side that we can on the park that gives us batting depth and gives us enough bowling options as well."We are quite clear in terms of what we want to do. Forecast is not something we're focussed on. We're not thinking too much about what might change. Regardless of what we do, we have our bases covered and we know that very well."We're not bothered about what the weather holds and if we need to change the outlook of the team altogether, no. Obviously how you approach the game and the decisions that you make day-to-day, they obviously alter when the conditions are different, but not your whole team altogether."Williamson, on the other hand, has decided to keep his cards close to his chest, with New Zealand deciding to wait on the weather conditions before unveiling their XV."Just with the weather around, we want to get a closer look at the surface. It's raining now so we'll have a look in the morning," he said."There is a little green tinge [on the pitch], but there's not a huge amount of grass on it."Often we see in this part of the world the conditions suiting seam bowlers, particularly when the ball's new."However, as we saw in the last two games [against England], spin also came into it."I'm sure there will be a little bit there for everyone, and it'll just be about focusing on what we can control within our group and doing that to the best of our ability."It looks like a pretty fair surface. Both teams have a number of strengths in a number of areas so it should be a really good contest."Williamson had an injection to help treat an elbow issue that kept him out of the second test against England in Edgbaston, but he says he's ready to go for the final."The injection has helped somewhat so that's positive and fine to go for this game."Meanwhile, Kohli isn't buying the Black Caps' "nice guys" label, saying he respects New Zealand as a team but will only focus on what happens on the field."I don't really understand this term that was used, I don't think any other team has bad guys in their team," he said when asked about the Black Caps' reputation off the field."It's something that we're not thinking about. For us it is a team that we're playing against, an opposition that we will be squaring up against that has a lot of quality players, but the other stuff which is off the field does not filter onto the field."On the field we're very professional and we know exactly how we're going to play and what we need to do on the field. Yes we get along very well off the field but when you step across the line then it's business at the end of the day and we have to deal with it accordingly."It's pretty serious stuff out there. It's not something that is fun and games and is played at a very low voltage environment. Obviously this is a huge game, a huge test match and we are certainly looking forward to an opportunity that we've been waiting for for a few years now."Black Caps (four to be omitted): Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Will Young, Tom Blundell, Matt Henry, Ajaz PatelIndia: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit S...

Matt Henry, Neil Wagner and Ajaz Patel have bowled New Zealand to the brink of a stunning test series win over England.The trio combined for eight wickets in a remarkable spell on day three of the second test, with Trent Boult adding one for good measure as England finished the day a miserable 122-9, leading by just 37 runs as victory looms for the Black Caps.While a test series victory – which would be their first in England this century – was always possible, plausible even, the dominance this Black Caps team produced on day three, especially without some frontline stars, was extraordinary.Yes, this is a under-strength English side, but New Zealand are missing Kane Williamson, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee - a rather significant 292 tests of experience.You could barely notice they were missing based on the performance of their replacements on day three, with three wickets apiece to Henry and Wagner being complemented by two from Patel as a simple path emerged to a test win in England – just their sixth in history.To make it more remarkable, this was a day that could have ended poorly for New Zealand, after a middle-order collapse.Resuming at 229-3, New Zealand had eased to 292-3, before losing their last seven wickets for 96 runs to go into the second innings with a lead of 85.Having struggled at the start of his innings, Ross Taylor looked more like his old self to begin day three, bringing up his second 50 in his last 15 test innings with some more assured, yet still aggressive strokeplay.He offered a chance on 68 before departing on 80, caught behind flashing outside off, and that sparked a tumble of wickets.Henry Nicholls (21) gloved one down legside to the keeper, while Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell missed their final opportunity to put their hand up for the World Test Championship final.Mitchell departed for six, pulling a long-hop straight to short midwicket, and while Blundell made 34, he was dropped third ball and has put in a mixed display behind the stumps, making the selection of Watling, if fit, an easy choice for the selectors next week.Patel, however, strengthened his case for selection, following up his two first-innings wickets with a pleasant 20 at No 10 that showed the tail would not necessarily be dramatically lengthened by his inclusion.He and Boult added 27 for the last wicket which gave the bowlers a better buffer – one that became increasingly daunting for England as the Kiwi bowlers tore them to shreds.Henry did the most damage, removing Rory Burns second ball to an excellent Tom Latham catch at second slip, before Mitchell showed safe hands to pocket the wicket of Dom Sibley at third slip.Zak Crawley followed, trapped lbw, and England were in dire straits at 30-3.Just as thoughts turned to how Henry could be crammed in to a jam-packed bowling equation for next week's final against India – in place of Wagner, perhaps? – Wagner showed just how difficult the next few days will be for the New Zealand selectors.Brought on in the 14th over, by the end of the 18th Wagner had two scalps to remind everyone of his value, trapping Ollie Pope lbw with his familiar inswinger, before having Dan Lawrence caught behind.And then, as if there weren't enough (welcome) selection headaches for Gary Stead and Williamson, the impressive Patel got in the action, bowling James Bracey before removing England's last hope, skipper Joe Root, caught behind.A quick 44-run stand between Olly Stone and Mark Wood ensured New Zealand will have to bat again, but with just one England wicket remaining, and a fourth-innings target unlikely to surpass 50, a special victory awaits for the Black Caps.text by Niall Anderson, NZ Herald

The Black Caps make their long-awaited return to the crease at Lord's in the first of two test matches against England that will precede the inaugural World Test Championship final.It has been 62 days since New Zealand last played, which was a comfortable Twenty20 victory over Bangladesh at Eden Park.The time in between has been dominated by Covid-19 chaos in India that interrupted and ultimately suspended the Indian Premier League, halting preparation for many Black Caps test squad members who were plying their trade in the shorter format for the meantime.However, apart from the absence of paceman Trent Boult, coach Gary Stead has a full squad at his disposal, but one that comes with a handful of selection stumpers.Kane Williamson revealed this morning that Devon Conway gets the nod ahead of Will Young and Tom Blundell at the top of the batting order to partner Tom Latham.Conway's dominance in first-class cricket, coupled with his strong form to begin his international white-ball career, is plenty of evidence he can handle the task of opening or acting as a higher-order batsman in tests.Colin de Grandhomme's return from ankle surgery paves the way for arguably the country's top all-rounder to restake his claim in the international side. However, he is not fully fit to carry a heavy bowling load.Boult's arrival in England on Friday means he could suit up for the second test at Edgbaston, but Stead has all but ruled out such a selection, with the 31-year-old set to go into the World Test Championship final cold."I don't think you will see Trent in the two test matches here. We're looking to have him ready for the World Test Championship final," Stead said."He's at home; he's had a week bowling there which is great, after a fair amount of isolation time at the end of the IPL."Matt Henry has been given the nod in the 12-man squad ahead of Doug Bracewell and Jacob Duffy as a possible a straight swap with Boult, or they could opt for a spinner in Mitchell Santner."The Lord's pitch has a green tinge two days out – it's been cut to 6mm. We're used to a lot more grass so it certainly looks different," he adds.The Black Caps will have to run out onto a ground that, last time they were there, was the scene of utter heartbreak in the form of the 2019 Cricket World Cup final.But the super over defeat was over two years ago now, and coach Gary Stead believes there will be no hangover from the match."We've won and lost at most grounds around the world - it won't have much bearing on this game," he said.As well as painful World Cup memories, New Zealand also have historical demons to contend with. Since their first tour in 1931, they've played 17 tests on the famed pitch and won just once, under the captaincy of Stephen Fleming in 1999, where opener Matt Horne hit one of his four career tons with 100 off 224 balls.Schedule:England v Black Caps, first test, Lord's, starting Wednesday June 2 at 10pm.Teams:Black Caps (probable): Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry (12th man).England squad: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Dan Lawrence, Haseeb Hameed, Joe Root (c), Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, James Bracey, Sam Billings, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson, Mark Wood, Olly Stone, Stuart Broad.

All that variety goodness coming at ya today, starting with a short and sharp Note of Mindfulness in the ol' 1B5 (1:10) and then ripping into some 1332 Hot Takes regarding some Olympic football focus and the excellence of Lydia Ko (1:52). VItamin Stats takes us through Charlisse Leger-Walker's brilliant first season of college bball as well as some Parrammatta Eels x NZ yardage (7:40) before we go Deep in the Mangroves regarding non-Breakers kiwis in the NBL and Tom Blundell's triumphant return to the middle order (13:44). Question Time brings us more cricket and kiwi basketball (20:47), The Jams brings us them good music reccos (28:51), On The Radar brings us Flying Kiwis football and Warriors rugby league (31:20), and The Niche Cache brings you the good podcasts. Right on.

Finn Allen has been the breakout star of the New Zealand summer, topping the Super Smash run charts and putting himself in the minds of selectors around the world. We spoke to Finn about the move from Auckland to Wellington, the Firebirds' culture, Super Smash finals day, being the best you can be and what it's like to bat with the likes of Devon Conway, Tom Blundell and Rachin Ravindra. From there, Finn's amazing summer continued with a call up to the Black Caps, a WhatsApp message from Mike Hesson asking him to join Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year's IPL and a Lancashire contract for the Vitality Blast. We talked through those incredible moments and how he's feeling about lining up alongside players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell. If you're a new listener to the podcast, check out our back catalogue. There's plenty more great interviews with current players, legends, journalists and characters from all over the cricketing world. Please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (https://twitter.com/Toporderpod (@toporderpod) on Twitter and https://www.facebook.com/Toporderpod (Facebook), & https://www.instagram.com/thetoporderpodcast/ (@thetoporderpodcast) on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider. It really helps others find the show. If you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening.

Will Young will become New Zealand test cricketer number 280 in the first test against the West Indies in Hamilton tomorrow.Long touted as one of the unluckiest players never to don a black cap in any format, the Central Districts batsman appears set to finally get his chance tomorrow.He will open and Tom Blundell will drop to number six in place of B-J Watling who did not train with his injured hamstring.Meanwhile, West Indies cricket captain Jason Holder has been presented with the “New Zealand illusion” when it comes to pitches.The latest example comes courtesy of an emerald Seddon Park ahead of today’s first test of the series starting at 11am.Holder’s done his homework and expects the pitch will flatten out.Listen above as Lesley Murdoch previews the game with Kate Hawkesby

Devon Conway has found himself in the Black Caps test squad after a stunning international debut last week.But not purely because of his form, however, as the South African-born batsman provides injury cover for BJ Watling who sustained a hamstring niggle in the opening round of the Ford Trophy.Conway has been given the nod, nonetheless, and has travelled to Hamilton to join the squad at training, ahead of Thursday's first cricket test against West Indies at Seddon Park.Speaking to media, head coach Gary Stead explained the move."We have another injury cover, Devon Conway will cover for BJ Watling who has a slight hamstring niggle that he picked up in his last Ford Trophy match. What that would mean is that Tom Blundell will take the gloves if BJ was ruled out and bat in the middle order which is why you'll see Devon Conway at training today," Stead said.Conway earned his first cap for the Black Caps in their five-wicket win over the West Indies in Friday night's opening T20 at Eden Park; his 41-run knock a vital innings in the victory.He then helped Glenn Phillips in a 184-run partnership world record in the final T20 which saw the Black Caps claim a 72-run victory.The Black Caps claimed the series 2-0.

Aaaalrighty, first we try remember what we did on last week's Patreon special which leads into some NBA Draft updates (3:31). Then it's Carlos Ulberg and his UFC emergence (8:46) and some Women's Big Bash updates (15:54) on the platter. From there it's a tasty breakdown of some kiwi rugby league matters (31:45) and an update on the Welly Nix squad (40:07). And, yes, from there we rip into a heap of Plunket Shield yarns from the Cantab seamers to Jacob Duffy's international prospects to Tom Blundell's big hundy... and weird dismissal... and plenty else (43:22). Then a few Flying Kiwis football spotlights to finish (1:33:22) chatting which recent transfers have hit the ground running and which, well, have not. Stay beautiful.

Tom Blundell has gone down in the record books for becoming just the second batsman in New Zealand first-class history to be given out for obstructing the field.The dismissal, for 101, came after a long wait for both teams to get on the park on the final day of the Wellington Firebirds-Otago Volts Plunket Shield match at the Basin Reserve, after stormy weather stalled play until almost 5pm.The Volts had been kept waiting for the chance to take the final three wickets to win their first Plunket Shield match at the Basin Reserve since 2003, while the Firebirds still had two top order batsmen in Black Cap Blundell and concussion substitute Andrew Fletcher to attempt to chase down a further 94 needed for a home victory.But just seven balls into the resumption, Blundell's rare dismissal triggered a quick demise for the hosts as Jacob Duffy snatched eight wickets for the match in a special 84-run victory for the side.The denouement was also remarkable for the sights in the middle, the Volts wearing blue and gold beanies in the frigid conditions, following horizontal rain earlier in the day.The sole previous instance of an obstructing the field dismissal in the scorecard of a New Zealand or Plunket Shield first-class match was in December 1953 when Canterbury tailender Johnny Hayes was dismissed at Christchurch's now demolished Lancaster Park against Central Districts; and yesterday's instance was the first since the handled ball rules were tweaked in 2017.For the Volts, it was a well executed victory that catapulted the southerners from fifth to third equal on the points table. It was also their second Plunket Shield victory in four matches, after having beaten the Stags in Dunedin at the tail of last summer.It left the Firebirds as the only side yet to pocket a win heading into next week's fourth round, an egg the defending champions will be hoping to break against the undefeated Auckland Aces who will be next up at the Basin Reserve.The Volts now head south for their first home match, at Alexandra's Molyneux Park, against unbeaten competition frontrunners Canterbury. 

In the fifth episode of our preview series shining a light on the NZ domestic circuit, we're joined by Wellington Firebirds fast bowler Hamish Bennett. Despite a challenging start to the Plunket Shield, good things are happening in the capital, and Hamish wasn't shy about giving us some of the best insights into his squad. From Frank the Tank's body hair, to Fraser Colson's banter, the incredible wrap on Tom Blundell's net skills and Hamish's career with the Black Caps, this one has it all! If you're a new listener, check out the back catalogue. There's plenty more great interviews with players from the NZ cricket scene, plus legends and characters from all over the cricketing world. Please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider. It really helps others find the show. And if you'd like to reach out to us, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com or @toporderpod on our social channels. Thanks for listening.

Don them whites because the domestic cricket season has begun and of course we were gonna roll the arm over with some Plunket Shield chat to begin (4:28), from a few sneaky selections to watch out for to Tom Blundell's opening career. Then we have a pop at some kiwi football chat (26:12) as the Premiership nears, the Welly Nix lose another player, and South African clubs keep signing Premmy fellas. Then finally it's time for some NRL Grand Final yarns (55:52) as we talk the mind-blowing Melbourne Storm, James Fisher-Harris, Harry Grant vs Brandon Smith, and more. Get amongst it, share it around, spread the word, support The Niche Cache. Sweet as.

Rounding up the Blackcaps Test cricket summer with a tear in the eye for times gone... from Tom Blundell's opening to the nature of Test cricket home/away to summer MVPs and more. Plus the usual kiwi sports roundup with chat on the White Ferns' World T20 exploits, Joseph Parker's win on the weekend, the Blacksticks at the FIH Pro, and Ryan Thomas at PSV.

The Black Caps have axed Mitchell Santner from their test squad to play India.It was just over two months ago that Santner inspired the Black Caps to their 99th test victory, but his struggles in their subsequent failures to reach three figures have seen him dropped from the side.A maiden test century – 126 – and three fourth-innings wickets against England at Mount Maunganui made it seem as if Santner had finally delivered on his all-round potential, but in the three tests since then has taken two wickets while leaking 338 runs, and scored just 55 runs in five innings.His battles with the ball culminated in wicketkeeper Tom Blundell being preferred to roll the arm over for a stint during the Boxing Day test, before illness meant Santner played no part in the third test in Sydney, as Todd Astle and Will Somerville were preferred.However, the red-ball retirement of Astle and injury to Somerville meant that Santner had a chance of retaining his spot in the squad for the two tests against India, but the selectors have opted for Ajaz Patel instead.Patel may not even play against the world's best test side – his prior two appearances at the Basin Reserve and Hagley Oval, where the two tests are being held, produced no wickets in 40 overs - but he proved economical in those stints.That has usually been Santner's strength – offering restrictive bowling lines on unfriendly wickets, as well as a lineup-balancing batting option. But, with the all-rounder having struggled for economy and runs in Australia, it weakened his argument for selection, with Patel earning the sole spinning spot.Black Caps coach Gary Stead said Patel's domestic track record as wicket-taking threat gave him the nod."Ajaz has done really well for us in the past in overseas conditions, but we look at his domestic form and it's very good. It's a slight change of role in what we're looking for – that position is one is which we're trying to take wickets."If the Black Caps opt to bypass Patel and play four seamers - a distinct possibility at the Basin Reserve - a test debut could be in order for Kyle Jamieson. Lockie Ferguson's return to domestic one-day cricket after a calf injury was not enough to prepare him for two tests, while Jamieson has been picked over Matt Henry and his 50.1 test bowling average.Trent Boult has been ruled fit however, and will link up with usual seam-bowling partners Neil Wagner and Tim Southee, while Daryl Mitchell will provide options as squad cover after a strong test debut with the bat in against England Hamilton, and impressive recent form for the New Zealand XI and New Zealand A.After his MCG century, Blundell will remain at the top of the order alongside Tom Latham, with Jeet Raval dropped.Stead acknowledged some tough decisions had to be made, with Jamieson edging out Henry thanks to the point of difference his pace and height provides."Kyle will offer us a point of difference with the bounce he could extract on what is traditionally a good surface in Wellington."With a squad of 13 we've put a priority on balance and making sure we have the needed variety and different options depending on the pitch conditions at the Basin Reserve."The first test begins in Wellington on Friday, with the second in Christchurch the following Saturday.Black Caps squad: Kane Williamson ©, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling. 

New Zealand centurion Tom Blundell joins Mornings with Tim Gossage to discuss his Boxing Day Test ton and cricketing career to date, facing up to the Australian quicks, and the Kiwis' hopes for the Sydney Test.

It's been another HUGE week in cricket! The Aussies wrapped up the Trans-Tasman series, the Poms lost (again), there have been BBL dramas & one of Australia's favourite sons officially retired.  Subscribe to 'Triple M Cricket' via the Triple M app or Apple Podcasts & chuck us a follow on all social platforms! 

The Black Caps have been hit by a double injury blow ahead of their second test against England, with Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme both being ruled out due to injury.Boult, who could only bowl one over on the final day of the Black Caps' win by an innings and 65 runs in Mount Maunganui, went for an MRI scan yesterday, which confirmed he had strained one of the muscles overlying his ribs on his right hand-side, but cleared him of any bone stress.He will miss the test starting on Friday at Seddon Park, as will de Grandhomme, who sustained a tear to his left lower abdominal muscle during the second innings, which saw him not bowl after lunch.The pair will begin rehabiliation with an aim to be fit for the Black Caps' first test against Australia in Perth on December 12, and Black Caps bowling coach Shane Jurgensen was hopeful both can recover in time."It's as good as what it could be, and hopefully they won't be out for too long."[Boult's injury] is quite a unique bowling injury that's not been seen much before, but fingers crossed it will be a quick rehab."We want them to be on the plane to go to Perth, so we're certainly working towards that, but the initial plan is really just rest and rehab."Northern Districts all-rounder Daryl Mitchell has been called into the test squad as de Grandhomme's replacement, and will join the Black Caps today along with Lockie Ferguson and Todd Astle, who have rejoined the test squad after being released to play domestic one-day cricket.Colin de Grandhomme (left) and Trent Boult (middle) have both been ruled out of the Black Caps' second test against England. Photo / GettyMitchell, who has played nine Twenty20 internationals for the Black Caps, hit an unbeaten 170 for Northern Districts in his last Plunket Shield match, and played for New Zealand A against England in their warm-up match, taking 2-34 and contributing scores of 19 not out and 22 with the bat.He most recently took 3-54 and hit an unbeaten 62 from 54 balls to lead ND to a one-day win over Central Districts on Monday.A powerful batsman with good technique who likes to hit the ball straight, Mitchell averages 35.6 with the bat in first-class cricket, and 33.5 with the ball, having taken 61 first-class wickets with his medium-pace offerings.Daryl Mitchell is in line for a test debut. Photo / PhotosportHe would be a like-for-like swap with de Grandhomme, though Black Caps coach Gary Stead could opt for an extra batsman in Tom Blundell, or play four seamers or two spinners, with Mitchell Santner promoted to bat at No 7.Jurgensen was certain Mitchell has the skills to replace de Grandhomme's all-round production."It's a really fantastic opportunity for Daryl, if he's selected for this test he'd probably take a similar role – I certainly think he's got the capability to do what Colin's been able to do."Boult's ailment seemingly opens up a spot for Ferguson to make his much-anticipated test debut in a seam bowling trio alongside Tim Southee and Neil Wagner, but with Matt Henry also an option, Jurgensen wasn't keen to make any assertions just yet."All options will be considered – [Henry] has done a really good job for the team and is a genuine new-ball bowler, and so is Lockie. We'll look at the pitch and see what our best lineup is."

Things have been "hot and steamy" in the Black Caps camp as they prepare for their test series in Sri Lanka.Less than one month on from controversially falling short to England in the Cricket World Cup grand final, the Black Caps are set for their first taste of the inaugural World Test Championship with a two-test series tipping off next week.But having delivered a 10-wicket thumping of Sri Lanka in the World Cup, it likely won't be the opposition that leaves the Black Caps sweating.Instead, the heat and humidity has so far proved most challenging during training, Black Caps' bowler Neil Wagner says."You feel like you've literally jumped in a swimming pool with your clothes on," Wagner said following a training session."[It's] pretty hot and steamy at the moment, very humid ... It seems to be a bit more sweaty and a bit more tacky around here."It's pretty tough to obviously stay dry and [we've] got to take fluids in the whole time. It's pretty wet, pretty sticky and it's going to be challenging but all the boys know what they're up for."The Black Caps posted a video to Instagram yesterday with the temperature recorded as 31 degrees and humidity more than 80 per cent.The Black Caps rummaging for cold drinks Photo / InstagramLast week, four spin bowlers were named in the Black Caps' 15-man squad, with Will Somerville and Ajaz Patel given a chance to repeat their heroics from last year's test series win over Pakistan.It was quite a contrast to their squads for tests at home but the Black Caps are preparing to play on Sri Lankan wickets where spinners utterly dominate the domestic wicket-taking charts.Black Caps coach Gary Stead said the squad followed a "horses-for courses" type strategy, taking into account previous matches held in Sri Lanka."Playing three spinners is an option in Sri Lankan conditions and we believe this group provides the best variations and skill mix on offer."The Black Caps' two-test series starts August 14.Black Caps test squad to play Sri Lanka: Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Will Somerville, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult.

Martin Devlin chats to former Black Caps bowler Andre Adams ahead of the Black Caps match against Australia. 

RSB Wednesday 29th May 2019 - On the podcast today: @RJHampton14 is joining the @NZBreakers is on today’s pod to share our excitement. Also today, @BLACKCAPS century scorer Tom Blundell and BLUES number 10 Harry Plummer 

In this episode of Spodcast, Firstpost's daily news podcast, we discuss Mumbai Indians' dominant victory over Chennai Super Kings, Tom Blundell's surprise inclusion in New Zealand's squad for the ICC World Cup and more. 

Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen is defending Kane Williamson's place in the New Zealand Twenty20 side.Former New Zealand international Simon Doull believes Williamson shouldn't be selected in Black Caps' T20 team, unless he's opening the batting.Larsen says they won't be making a change at the top of the order and believes Williamson remains a class Twenty20 player."To me, he's an experienced, classy player; we know his record. He's still a world-ranked T20 player, he was New Zealand Cricket's T20 player of the year last year."He's missed out a couple of times but [I'm] very, very confident that the skipper will hit a couple out of the middle early on and he'll be away again."Mark Chapman and Tim Seifert have been called up to the squad for the remainder of the tri-series against Australia and England, with Tom Blundell, Tom Bruce and Seth Rance dropped.Australia's two from two in the tri-series after beating England by five wickets in Hobart.LISTEN ABOVE AS GAVIN LARSEN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST

Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen is defending Kane Williamson's place in the New Zealand Twenty20 side.Former New Zealand international Simon Doull believes Williamson shouldn't be selected in Black Caps' T20 team, unless he's opening the batting.Larsen says they won't be making a change at the top of the order and believes Williamson remains a class Twenty20 player.READ MORE:Chapman - I was quietly confident I was being called upChapman, Seifert called into Black Caps squad for tri-series"To me, he's an experienced, classy player; we know his record. He's still a world-ranked T20 player, he was New Zealand Cricket's T20 player of the year last year."He's missed out a couple of times but [I'm] very, very confident that the skipper will hit a couple out of the middle early on and he'll be away again."Mark Chapman and Tim Seifert have been called up to the squad for the remainder of the tri-series against Australia and England, with Tom Blundell, Tom Bruce and Seth Rance dropped.Australia's two from two in the tri-series after beating England by five wickets in Hobart.LISTEN ABOVE AS GAVIN LARSEN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST

Black Caps wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, reviewing his efforts in the 3rd T20 against Pakistan, and looking forward to the series against England and Australia which begins on Saturday in Sydney.LISTEN ABOVE AS TOM BLUNDELL SPEAKS WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN

Black Caps wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, reviewing his efforts in the 3rd T20 against Pakistan, and looking forward to the series against England and Australia which begins on Saturday in Sydney.LISTEN ABOVE AS TOM BLUNDELL SPEAKS WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN

Tom Blundell made headlines over the weekend for his stellar debut playing for the Black Caps against the West Indies, where he became the eleventh Black Cap to score a century on his debut - and at his home grounds of the Basin Reserve. Now the rising cricket start has made headlines for entirely different reasons today after he was caught walking home in his full cricket gear.He joked about the incident with D'Arcy and Goran, but on a more serious note, Blundell made he clear he knows he has to continue working of his keeping and batting if he wants a permanent spot in the side.Blundell's retained his spot for the second test against the West Indies starting on Saturday - after BJ Watling was ruled out due to an ongoing hip injury.He told D'Arcy and Goran that BJ Watling has left a massive hole, that he's determined to fill."For him to be out of the time, but it gave me a great opportunity to go out there and prove myself, I guess."LISTEN TO TOM BLUNDELL TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE

Tom Blundell made headlines over the weekend for his stellar debut playing for the Black Caps against the West Indies, where he became the eleventh Black Cap to score a century on his debut - and at his home grounds of the Basin Reserve. Now the rising cricket start has made headlines for entirely different reasons today after he was caught walking home in his full cricket gear.He joked about the incident with D'Arcy and Goran, but on a more serious note, Blundell made he clear he knows he has to continue working of his keeping and batting if he wants a permanent spot in the side.Blundell's retained his spot for the second test against the West Indies starting on Saturday - after BJ Watling was ruled out due to an ongoing hip injury.He told D'Arcy and Goran that BJ Watling has left a massive hole, that he's determined to fill."For him to be out of the time, but it gave me a great opportunity to go out there and prove myself, I guess."LISTEN TO TOM BLUNDELL TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE

Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan on the performance of Tom Blundell at the Basin Reserve and what it means for BJ Watling in the test team.McGlashan believes the Black Caps have to stick with Blundell for now.LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER MCGLASHAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST

Frank and Sonya explore a day in the life of Executive Chef Tom Blundell, who oversees Wolfgang Puck Catering and the Food Section at the Newseum.

Chaired by Dr Richard Dawkins, the 2013 British Humanist Association Darwin Day lecture was delivered by Sir Tom Blundell, Professor Emeritus and Director of Research, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge on the topic of: ‘The emergence of drug resistance: Molecular evolution and new medicines for cancer and tuberculosis’.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the leading scientist Professor Sir Tom Blundell. His specialism is in molecular biology, which involves studying the tiniest building blocks of life under a microscope, in the hope of finding treatments for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. It is a hugely visual kind of science, and this, he says, is no coincidence - he loves science first and foremost for its beauty. He regularly seeks this beauty beyond the laboratory too; in art, in music and in travelling all over the world. One very special trip was to Africa for his wedding, after which he was somewhat surprised at being asked to pay for his Zimbabwean bride - a fellow academic - in cows. As a working class student at Oxford in the 1960s, he developed a fascination with politics, and at one point this activism threatened to overwhelm his life completely. When forced to choose between science and politics, he says he realised that politics was simply too hard. In recent years, he has finally been able to combine the two, by chairing numerous government science committees, and making key recommendations on issues as diverse as mad cow disease and climate change.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting by Charles Mingus Book: Lessons in Ndebele by J. Pelling Luxury: A combined heat and power micro-unit.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the leading scientist Professor Sir Tom Blundell. His specialism is in molecular biology, which involves studying the tiniest building blocks of life under a microscope, in the hope of finding treatments for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. It is a hugely visual kind of science, and this, he says, is no coincidence - he loves science first and foremost for its beauty. He regularly seeks this beauty beyond the laboratory too; in art, in music and in travelling all over the world. One very special trip was to Africa for his wedding, after which he was somewhat surprised at being asked to pay for his Zimbabwean bride - a fellow academic - in cows. As a working class student at Oxford in the 1960s, he developed a fascination with politics, and at one point this activism threatened to overwhelm his life completely. When forced to choose between science and politics, he says he realised that politics was simply too hard. In recent years, he has finally been able to combine the two, by chairing numerous government science committees, and making key recommendations on issues as diverse as mad cow disease and climate change. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting by Charles Mingus Book: Lessons in Ndebele by J. Pelling Luxury: A combined heat and power micro-unit.