Latest news with #HenryNicholls
Otago Daily Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Are Zimbabwe just chance to pad stats?
The Black Caps posted the biggest test win in their history when they crushed Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs in Bulawayo last week. Reason to get excited or just a little embarrassing for the pure format of the game? Sports editor Hayden Meikle suggests this is further evidence the hapless Zimbabweans have no place in test cricket, while cricket writer Adrian Seconi argues there is no need to devalue an outstanding New Zealand performance. MEIKLE'S VIEW That blasted Jacob Duffy. If it was not for the Otago fast bowler, I would completely unleash and label what we have just seen in Zimbabwe as an outright farce. Duffy is such a nice story — a top bloke, who grafted away for years before deservedly making his test debut for the Black Caps, and claiming his first two wickets — that my fury is a little tempered, as I do not want to devalue the greatest achievement of his career. But let's get honest here. Zimbabwe should not be playing test cricket. They're a joke, and while it is perfectly fine to celebrate the New Zealand men marking their biggest test win, indeed the third-biggest win for ANY team in the ultimate format, it is also justifiable to question what it all means. The hapless Zimbos have played 128 tests. They have won 14 of those — a measly winning rate of 10.93% — and eight of those wins came when the Bangers were equally inept. They are basically a club team who, for some reason, are retaining test status. Can Zimbabwe get better without being allowed to stay in test cricket? Perhaps, perhaps not. But this isn't a support group. Test cricket is, and should be, the preserve of the very best. Only those nations who are equipped for the demands of five-day cricket should be allowed to play it. In Zimbabwe's case, they can barely survive five days over an entire series. A closer look reveals this is a Zimbabwe team clinging on to their international status but soon to face a reckoning. Their top six for the second test against New Zealand included 39-year-old Brendan Taylor, 38-year-old Sean Williams, and Craig Ervine, who turns 40 on Tuesday. The rest are unproven kids, and it is almost cruel to keep serving them up as test cricket cannon fodder. I know the Black Caps can "only play who is put in front of them", as they say. But the basic pointlessness of this test series was revealed when, with the Kiwis at 601 for three after day two, people were openly salivating about the Black Caps pushing on to become the first test team to score over 1000 runs in an innings, and were pondering if Rachin Ravindra or Henry Nicholls — Henry Nicholls! — could have a crack at Brian Lara's 400. That is not test cricket. That is playground challenge stuff. Another point is that, while the Black Caps have played plenty of good cricket in recent years, it is a stretch to say the XI for the second test was one that should be breaking all sorts of records. In fact, you could name a completely separate XI that would have won the test quite comfortably. Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Lochie Ferguson, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Ben Sears — you will never see that XI, but the fact it would likely beat a test nation by an innings speaks volumes. Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan have test status. And, to be blunt, they really should not. Test wins should be hard-earned, and they should be memorable. This one was utterly forgettable. Though not for our man Duffy, obviously. SECONI'S VIEW Hayden, Hayden, Hayden. Hopefully, that struck the right condescending tone. Just because you endured a joyless season with the Highlanders, and can't remember what winning feels like, that does not give you the right to dismiss the efforts of the mighty Black Caps or pile on the poor old Zimbabweans, who, in the words of every Highlanders coach ever, are doing their best. What your hot take is missing is some historical context and deep, thoughtful analysis, which you won't read here either. And before you say, 'hold on, you're playing the man, not the ball,' that is exactly what I'm doing. Zimbabwe were terrible. No. Zimbabwe are terrible. But listen up, my malcontent friend, now is not the time for snarky nitpicking or undermining opinions you fundamentally agree with. Now is the time to revel in the beauty of Rachin Ravindra padding his batting average the way Kane Williamson could have done if he hadn't opted to play in The Hundred instead. It is time to celebrate Otago seamer Jacob Duffy claiming his maiden test wickets, or complain that the Southland right-armer went wicketless in the first innings. Let us hold Zak Foulkes up to the light and prophesy the Second Coming. Loosen that jaw because Henry Nicholls is back, baby, whether your teeth are clenched or not. But every argument needs some structure and a coherent train of thought, so here is a list of the top four reasons Zimbabwe should retain their status as a test nation. 1. It gives former Otago coach Dion Ebrahim something to do. He is the Zimbabwe batting coach and, well, um ... yeah, it has not gone that well to be honest. They have lost nine, drawn one and won one of their last 11 tests. 2. One of the stats that got trundled out after the second test was that it was only the third time in history three players had scored 150 or more in an innings. Meikle will point to a stat like that as a reason to jettison Zimbabwe's test status. Would he also have booted Don Bradman's 1938 Australian team? They were pummelled by England by an innings and 579 runs at The Oval. Len Hutton (364), Maurice Leyland (187) and Joe Hardstaff (169) provided the backbone for England's colossal first innings total of 903/7. Bradman got injured while bowling and Jack Fingleton did not bat either. But Australia were routed for 201 and 123. Actually, maybe Meikle is right. They should have booted Australia. 3. So what if Zimbabwe have a winning percentage of a shade under 11%? A lack of success has not thwarted Meikle's beloved Highlanders nor put the Black Caps off. It took New Zealand 26 years and 45 tests to post their first win in the format. New Zealand's overall winning percentage is just 25.20 — only Bangladesh (14.93%) and Zimbabwe have a worse record. 4. Computer says no. "Zimbabwe should keep its test status, but the ICC should push for stronger development pathways and better governance to improve competitiveness." (Thanks, ChatGPT.) — sport@
Scotsman
a day ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Why police must tell Labour to think again over Palestine Action
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Dear Chief Constable, I am writing to you concerning the decision to designate Palestine Action a terrorist organisation and to criminalise support for them. Many organisations, from Amnesty International to the United Nations, have condemned this decision, describing it as a threat to human rights and civil liberties. The UK Government has responded by arguing that it is necessary for national security and public order. I want to try and persuade you that the legislation and the mass arrests to which it has led are as bad for security and public order as they are for our rights. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I base my counsel on over 40 years of studying crowd events and crowd violence. For sure, some crowds are very violent. But it is wrong to suppose that crowds are inherently violent or that individuals are helplessly swept up in the contagion of violence once it starts. A protester is carried away by police officers at a 'Lift The Ban' demonstration in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action (Picture: Henry Nicholls) | AFP via Getty Images The problem with demonising crowds Such views, in the past, have led to highly repressive forms of public order policing – the irony being that such action has validated the argument of some that the state is the enemy and one can only fight fire with fire. In short, the demonisation of crowds leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy whereby indiscriminate police repression leads to the escalation of violence. These insights have led to the development of new forms of public order policing which marginalise those advocating violence by starting from the question 'how can we help crowd members achieve legitimate goals' rather than 'how can we stop crowds causing problems'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Once crowd members see the police as an asset rather than an impediment, they themselves will act to control those amongst them who favour mayhem. After all, crowd members know that if a demonstration turns into a riot, then violence will dominate the headlines and their cause will be silenced. Absence of Seattle-style violence at COP26 Such 'facilitative policing' has developed in leaps and bounds and Police Scotland has had a proud place in its vanguard. In 2021, I was part of the independent advisory group to the policing of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. Police Scotland stressed its commitment to human rights policing, to protecting the right to peaceful protest, and to facilitating those who wished to make their concerns about urgent action on the climate emergency heard loudly and clearly. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For sure, the policing wasn't perfect. There were controversies about how far the police lived up to these principles and whether the deployment of some 10,000 officers was overkill. Nonetheless, even the fiercest critic would accept that what happened was far different from the violence at previous COPs and other summits (Copenhagen, Paris, Hamburg, Seattle). Or again, during Covid, I was involved in advising the police about their approach which was based on working with people rather than coming down heavily upon them. It was encapsulated in the '4Es' policy: if people break the pandemic regulations, start off by 'Engaging' with them, 'Explain' to them why the regulations are important, and 'Encourage' them to comply. Only as a last resort use 'Enforcement'. This approach was highly successful and arguably avoided the riots that happened in countries like France where the police immediately arrested those breaking curfew. Elderly protesters bubbling with joy The power of such approaches is as much long term as short term. If protests are seen as dangerous places where anyone could find themselves in the midst of a fight, then only those willing to countenance violence will attend. But if facilitative policing helps make crowds safer spaces, then families and children will take part and violence will become even more unlikely. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I recall visiting a church group during COP26 where elderly parishioners (who had never before been on a protest before, thinking such things were not for people like them) were bubbling with joy at the sense of community they had experienced. It takes a long time to build up such trust. It can be destroyed in an instant. The arrests around Palestine Action are in grave danger of doing so. This is exacerbated when people are carted away not only for expressing support for the organisation but for objecting to the ban or simply for expressing views which coincide with those of Palestine Action – such as the fact that Gaza should be free and some action must be taken to stop the appalling situation in Palestine. By such logic, anyone who wants the trains to run on time is a fascist sympathiser. When the police arrest over 500 people for holding up placards saying what most of the population believe (that we should take action on Palestine) and when people who are dedicated to the rule of law (such as elderly magistrates) are criminalised, something is plainly going wrong. Making public disorder and terrorism more likely Going back to the times when demonstrations were dangerous places and the police were viewed as the enemy makes public disorder more likely. It also makes crowds more dangerous and unpleasant for officers on the frontline who experience mass antagonism. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Worse still, when the right to seek change through collective protest is undermined, some will become more likely to resort to individualistic acts of terror. Chief Constable, I hope it is clear why this legislation is a deeply retrograde step that is as bad for the rule of law, for the preservation of the public order and for the well-being of your own officers as it is for those who are flabbergasted by a law that lumps together Palestine Action with al-Qaeda and Isis (if, on 9/11, al-Qaeda had limited themselves to spray painting the Twin Towers, we would be living in a very different world). I also hope you will agree that the best way to serve your community and your staff is to join with your fellow Chief Constables and say to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper: 'Think again.'
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
New Zealand crush Zimbabwe to clinch series 2-0
Rachin Ravindra, Henry Nicholls, and Devon Conway pose for a picture after creating history, with a Test innings featuring three 150+ scores for New Zealand. PHOTO: OFFICIAL BLACKCAPS PAGE New Zealand completed their biggest win in test cricket with a crushing innings and 359-run victory over Zimbabwe to clinch the series 2-0 in Bulawayo on Saturday. Zimbabwe, who suffered their heaviest test defeat, were bowled out for 117 after New Zealand declared overnight on 601-3 following centuries by Devon Conway (153), Rachin Ravindra (165 not out) and Henry Nicholls (150 not out). Seamer Zakary Foulkes completed figures of 5-37 to go with 4-38 in their first innings, the best by a New Zealander on debut. Nick Welch put up lone resistance for the home side with an unbeaten 47 and captain Craig Ervine (17) was the only other player to get into double figures. Extras (16) was the third highest scorer. "It's been a great series," New Zealand seamer Matt Henry said. "I think as a group we knew that we needed to capitalise on the new ball and ask questions early. "The skillset we have as a group, we can complement each other. The way the guys are coming in and backing their skillset, it's awesome to see." Trailing by 476 on their first innings, it was always going to be a tall order for Zimbabwe to make their visitors bat again, but they would have hoped their second innings lasted longer than 28.1 overs. Having lost Brian Bennett (0) in the first over, they were quickly in trouble as Brendan Taylor (7), back from a three-and-a-half year ICC suspension, followed him back to the pavilion with Henry (2-16) removing both openers. When experienced batter Sikandar Raza (4) fell, the score was 54-5 and Foulkes ran through the tail. "It's obviously been disappointing, specially the way we finished today," Ervine said. "But we had a really tough, high-skilled opposition and it shows where we stand as a team in the test circuit." Earlier on Friday, Conway, Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra all scored 150 and over as New Zealand built up a commanding 476-run lead against hosts Zimbabwe at the end of the second day of the second test at the Queens Sports Club.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
ZIM vs NZ LIVE score, 2nd Test Day 3: New Zealand 601/3 d; Zimbabwe 24/3 in response
CHENNAI Hello and welcome to Sporstar's live coverage of day three of the 2nd Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand, being held at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. ZIM vs NZ 2nd Test - Live Scorecard TOSS Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat. DAY 2 REPORT PLAYING XIs: Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Brendan Taylor, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, Trevor Gwandu New Zealand: Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Matthew Fisher, Jacob Duffy FIRST TEST RESULT The Kiwis won the opener by nine wickets inside three days. Stand-in skipper Mitchell Santner took four wickets as Zimbabwe was dismissed for 165 runs in its second innings after being 31 for two overnight, leaving New Zealand with an eight-run target in the second innings. The visitor achieved the target in 14 balls but not before opener Devon Conway was bowled in the first over by Newman Nyamburi for four. Henry Nicholls hit the winning run in the third over after tea on the third day to see his team go 1-0 up in the two-Test series. SQUADS Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Trevor Gwandu New Zealand: Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Tom Latham, Jacob Duffy, Ajaz Patel, Matthew Fisher LIVE STREAMING INFO Where to watch the live telecast of the second Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand in India? The second Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand will not be televised live on any TV channel in India. Where to watch the live stream of the second Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand Africa in India? The second Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website in India. Related Topics Zimbabwe / New Zealand
India.com
4 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
New Zealand Joins Elite List With Historic Batting Feat Against Zimbabwe
New Zealand etched their name in the record books during the second Test against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, becoming only the third team in the history of Test cricket to see three batters score 150 or more runs in the same innings. The remarkable achievement came as Devon Conway (153), Henry Nicholls (150)*, and Rachin Ravindra (165) piled on the runs to lead the Black Caps to a commanding total of 601/3 declared. This batting masterclass left Zimbabwe reeling, having posted only 125 in their first innings. A Feat Decades in the Making In over 147 years of Test cricket, such an occurrence has been witnessed just twice before. The first came in 1938, when England achieved the feat against Australia at The Oval. Nearly five decades later, India replicated it against Sri Lanka in 1986 at Kanpur. New Zealand's effort now stands alongside those historic performances, underlining its extreme rarity. How the Innings Unfolded Conway set the tone with a composed knock, mixing patience with crisp stroke play. Nicholls anchored one end, ensuring stability while rotating the strike effectively. Ravindra, in sublime form, accelerated the scoring rate with a mix of classical drives and aggressive shot-making. Together, their efforts not only broke the spirit of the Zimbabwean bowlers but also ensured New Zealand's dominance from start to finish. Impact on the Match By the time New Zealand declared, they had built a massive first-innings lead of 476 runs. Zimbabwe faced the daunting task of batting just to survive, with the match's outcome looking all but sealed before the second innings began. Why It Matters Cricketing feats like this highlight not only individual brilliance but also the collective strength of a batting lineup. For New Zealand, it serves as further evidence of their growing stature in world cricket, capable of producing performances that will be remembered for decades. With this achievement, the Black Caps have once again shown why they are considered one of the most disciplined and consistent teams in the modern era.
