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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Wowee. I feel like since he’s come in to the international level there has been a feeling around Markram that he has underachieved. Not today. Not in the most important test match of his career. What. A. Knock. #WTCfinal #AUSvSA

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

If they do manage to win this match, where will Bavuma rank in South African test captains? He’s gotten better with the bat since becoming captain and has won games with far less cattle than previous protea captains. #testcricket #WTC25

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Ohh, that feels like the first ✨moment✨ in this match. A session of Head and South Africa might never recover. Wonderfully poised at lunch. #testcricket #WTC25

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Oft. Rabada and Jansen have come to play. This has been some kind of opening spell. #testcricket #WTC25

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Perpetually jealous of the cricketing culture in England. Although I feel like it’s getting better in Australia every year.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

That is what test cricket is all about as well. An upset in a T20 is a sugar hit, an upset in a test match is a legacy.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Aside from lower nations playing more games, I think the best change to the World Test Championship would be to rotate the final venue to the previous winners nation. #testcricket #WTC25 #AUSvSA

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

It rewards lower nations, yes, but why shouldn’t it? The answer to this is not to scrap the competition or for the big three to play less, but to ensure every other nation plays more often.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

I don’t want to hear any arguments against this final. The test championship is the best thing that’s happened to test cricket in a generation. It provides the format with relevance and a goal. South Africa have managed, against all odds to make the final this time. #WTC25 #testcricket

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

The only other disappointment is that this is a 2-match series. A third test would have been great to decide the contest!

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

When Welch and Williams were batting together on day 1, everything looked so promising, but they never recovered from Welch going off injured. Their bowling was also a little indisciplined at times as they struggled to deal with the patient approach by the Tigers.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

To win without runs from Shanto, Monimul, Mushfiqur or Jaker was so important and shows some depth for the Tigers going forward. Zimbabwe on the other hand were very disappointing after such an impressive effort in the first test.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

I think Bangladesh took that home loss to Zimbabwe personally… Every aspect of their game that failed in the first test delivered in the second. Taijul in the wickets, Shadman and Mehidy with hundreds and good fielding helped them topple the disappointing Zimbabwe team. #cricket #BANvZIM

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

They need one of their experienced players in Shanto, Monimul or even Shadman or Joy to stand up and say enough. This team has the talent, but it too often lacks the IQ to win.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

🇿🇼 On the flip side, it was an opportunity missed by Bangladesh. Taijul struggled for rhythm in the first innings. But as has been the issue for this team over the last 3 years, a few of their batsmen got past 50 but failed to make a genuine impact on the outcome of the game.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Add to that the runs into young gun Bennett at the top of the order and I’m praying the ICC gives these nations more of a chance to show their wares. We will all be rewarded for it.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

🇿🇼 Every time I see Blessing Muzarabani play I’m aghast that he has only been able to play 11 tests in his career. I stand by the assertion that he is the best bowling talent out of Zimbabwe in a decade. In his 11 tests he’s taken 50 wickets @ 20.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

There’s been a lot of chat about how ‘unfair’ the test championship is. I’d hazard a guess that England, Australia and India, the teams who play the most cricket in the tournament would rather be playing 30+ tests every cycle than the measly 5 that Zimbabwe has played in the last 2 years.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

🇧🇩 v 🇿🇼 Just let them play @icc please. Another great test match between two lower nations as Zimbabwe got their first test win away from home in 7 years and only their 4th overall. #cricket #BANvZIM #ICC

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

🇵🇰 It ends with a whimper, I’m not entirely sure what Pakistan learnt on this tour except that they need to be more disciplined in the white ball format Too often they were getting caught, too often their bowlers would stray in line and length. They need to find their confidence #cricket #NZvPAK

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

They maybe lack one more quality death bowler but have so many options at the top who can take early wickets. I think the only player we haven’t seen who might get more of a go next year is Ashok.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

The real excitement for this team though is the white ball depth. A few years ago the kiwis had steel in their team but probably lacked some quality power hitters. Now with Phillips and Mitchell as well as other players like Seifert, Abbas, Chapman, Robinson and Allen they have much more depth.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some changes to the test team next summer with someone like Mariu getting a chance at the top over Conway who might even move down the order, Jamieson will slot nicely back into the team with Henry and O’Rourke while Hay might finally get a go over Blundell.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

The exciting thing is the discovery of depth for this team though with new faces like O’Rourke, Hay, Smith, Foulkes, Robinson, Kelly, Abbas and Mariu all getting rewarded for domestic form. Add to that the reemergence of Duffy, Chapman, Seifert and Jamieson and the future looks good for the kiwis.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

🇳🇿 So ends a strange old summer for the kiwis with a shocker of a test series against England, a history making 3-0 win in India then a dominant white ball series vs Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Add to that a final appearance in the champions trophy and it’s not a terrible 6 months. #cricket #NZvPAK

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

The way that 24yo Hay took control of the last 5 overs, piling on 56 runs will be the most pleasing outcome from this match. Also very happy to see Mariu get his cap, absolute start in the making.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

🇳🇿 This has truly been a summer of discovery for New Zealand as they have blooded players and found depth that I don’t even think they thought they had. Important innings from Hay and Abbas and a great bowling performance as O’Rourke, Duffy, Smith and Sears took control. #cricket #NZvPAK

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Players are losing their head trying to hit the ball too hard and bowlers and trying to utilise raw pace rather than skill to get wickets. This group has enough talent, but they need a coach who can control the dressing room and help these players grow.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

🇵🇰 Oft, Pakistan just cannot get it right in this tour. They’ve had one T20 where everything came together, but aside from that they’ve been very disappointing, they just look like a team down on confidence. #cricket #NZvPAK

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

He’s a gun, good glove man as well

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

🇳🇿 For anyone curious, that was the Mitch Hay that the Blackcaps want. Those last 5 overs where he took control were exceptional from a 24 year old who knows his game inside and out. #cricket #NZvPAK

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

I’ve seen enough. Mariu should be in every blackcaps squad going forward. #cricket #NZvPAK

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

The blackcaps have never had this kind of depth in their batting before. They are essentially playing a B-team and will still be competitive in, if not win, each match this series. #cricket #NZvPAK

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Sudharasan was impressive at the top for the Titans while their bowling choked the life out of any hope Mumbai had. Rashid didn’t even have to bowl 4 overs, I can’t remember the last time that would have happened!

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

GT v MI The IPL comes at you quickly and Mumbai are finding that out the hard way right now. 0-2 and they have looked a bit off the pace so far. Poor performances from key players, Rohit, Hardik and Mujeeb stung them against a Titans team that responded well to their loss. #cricket #IPL2025

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

They were set up nicely going into the last 15 overs but capitulated too easily. This team just has too many holes at the moment and no obvious fixes.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

🇵🇰 The Pakistani bowlers started so well on a decent pitch, finding a good line a length and building pressure. But it was their fifth bowler that burnt them. As soon an Salman came into the attack the game changed. #cricket #NZvPAK

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

On top of that, another great knock from Chapman and runs from Mitchell was great. The bowlers did their job and it was good to see Smith get some reward!

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

🇳🇿 It’s been a summer of finds for the kiwis as they unearthed another talent on the international stage in Muhammad Abbas. If you’ve followed the domestic leagues this performance was no surprise, but it’s validating to see him deliver on the main stage. #cricket #NZvPAK

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Love seeing the man flourish. He deserves success

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

So exciting to see so many young players coming through lately! The future looks strong

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

I reckon his bowling will only ever be a bonus. I’m a big believer in his batting!

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

For CSK, Ravindra desperately needs help at the top of the order. Hopefully Gaikwad and Tripathi can get it together to help out. Noor Ahmad has been one of the best internationals early.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

This might be the year that RCB finally get their shit together? They have the power in their lineup and the perennially underestimated Hazlewood has been the form quick bowler in the first few games. David as a finisher also gives them something in the last 4 overs. #cricket #IPL2025

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

🇳🇿 So great to see Muhammad Abbas get his chance in the blackcaps squad. A genuinely solid player who can play in any format for this team. Hopefully he’s done enough to show he’s worth the investment at the top level. #cricket #NZvPAK #blackcaps

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

There is definitely no excuse for the batting though as the Pakistanis kept nicking off or misjudging length throughout the innings. This team desperately needs to find some consistency if they are going to grow into any kind of threat.

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

🇵🇰 Well, here we go again. The Pakistanis were at the mercy of the kiwis in the first 10 overs and although the recovered somewhat, they need to react quicker in these games. It only takes 2 bad overs to lose a game in T20, Pakistan generally seem to have 5 a game. #cricket #NZvPAK

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Cricket Takes @crickettakes.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Finally, the recovery of the kiwi bowlers from the Eden park decimation was fantastic, particularly from Foulkes and Duffy who combined for 7 wickets. New Zealand has never had this type of depth.

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