New Zealand cricket 2017/18 - international and domestic.

Yeah I know, it's almost upon us, well the domestic stuff is.  Remembering last seasons winners:

Plunket Shield - Canterbury
Ford Trophy - Canterbury
Super Smash - Wellington Firebirds.

Fair to say it's going to be a funny season, not funny as in Hahaha funny - no "the format and draws" funny.  And to confuse things even further, the International fixtures have the Blackcaps playing India away in October/November, West Indies in December/January, Pakistan for ODI's in January, a T20 tri series in Australia and back to home versus England.

The staggering thing for the coming series, 4 tests (WI and Eng 2 each) and 16 ODI's (not to mention 12 or so T20's) which sort of means that Blackcaps are out of domestic cricket for most of the season, maybe only playing domestic stuff after England.

It is good though we have plenty cricket, International and Domestic.  I'm wondering why former powerhouse in International cricket is once again relegated to December.  The West Indies need good cricket in good cricketing conditions and a little warmer in the summer sun.  And Pakistan seem to be perennially fixed with the shorter form of the game here in January.

The internationals pretty much take care of themselves. So what of the next level down??

Starting with the premier trophy - The Plunket Shield.  Starts on 23 October and plays through to 24th November and resumes on March 4th and goes through to 5th April 2018.  I seem to recall some marquee long serving stalwarts retired at end of last 2016/17 season and with a huge international schedule, it's important going ahead to cater for injuries and cover, so plenty for the domestic boys  to look forward to.

The Ford Trophy (3rd December to 24th February) is enticing this season (and Supersmash 13th  December  to 14th January 2018) so a must viewing that domestic line up.  Be good for selectors too to bring in fostered talent and give them a chance to shine (no pressure).

My biggest disappointment is that lack of a 3rd test?  If we can share with other teams then why not here?? And how did the Day/Night test impact on the draw for those tests??

Roll on Team Blackcaps, will be with you (and my Central Stags) all the way!!