I still don't know why there weren't any warmup games. I can only assume, only assume, as Dylan said - that T20 just doesn't matter as much to New Zealand cricket as the other forms of the game otherwise. They simply would not have sent the players into battle underprepared.

There is a rationale to say a decent chunk of the side have come from the IPL, where they've been playing a lot of T20 cricket, but the fact is most of them didn't actually play a heck of a lot in the IPL.

Most of the New Zealand players who were in the IPL weren't really first choice for their sides. And those who did play didn't exactly set the world on fire - it has to be said.

The fact is, of the others, they've hardly played any T20 cricket and all recently. Finn Allen's last game of T20 cricket was in February, Same with Devon Conway, Same with Glenn Phillips. These guys haven't played T20 for three or four months, so to expect them to go into unfamiliar surroundings, and perform straight away in what has turned out to be a pretty crucial match is fanciful. 

Yes, they're good players, I don't think there's any selection issue here. You wouldn't say that these aren't our best T20 players on form and reputation. So, it's not as though you say, ‘he shouldn't be there, he should be there instead.’

Yes, you can talk about selection of the 11 for yesterday. I’d have Rachin Ravindra in there and probably Jimmy Neesham as well. And they may make those changes. But by and large, it's our best players in the squad.

It just seems to be a complete oversight in terms of giving them any preparation at all, Afghanistan aren’t a bad side, we're not talking about a minnow anymore. Afghanistan are a good white ball side, and they proved that yesterday. 

You can't go in half-baked.

LISTEN ABOVE

I still don't know why there weren't any warmup games. I can only assume, only assume, as Dylan said - that T20 just doesn't matter as much to New Zealand cricket as the other forms of the game otherwise. They simply would not have sent the players into battle underprepared.
There is a rationale to say a decent chunk of the side have come from the IPL, where they've been playing a lot of T20 cricket, but the fact is most of them didn't actually play a heck of a lot in the IPL.
Most of the New Zealand players who were in the IPL weren't really first choice for their sides. And those who did play didn't exactly set the world on fire - it has to be said.
The fact is, of the others, they've hardly played any T20 cricket and all recently. Finn Allen's last game of T20 cricket was in February, Same with Devon Conway, Same with Glenn Phillips. These guys haven't played T20 for three or four months, so to expect them to go into unfamiliar surroundings, and perform straight away in what has turned out to be a pretty crucial match is fanciful. Yes, they're good players, I don't think there's any selection issue here. You wouldn't say that these aren't our best T20 players on form and reputation. So, it's not as though you say, ‘he shouldn't be there, he should be there instead.’
Yes, you can talk about selection of the 11 for yesterday. I’d have Rachin Ravindra in there and probably Jimmy Neesham as well. And they may make those changes. But by and large, it's our best players in the squad.
It just seems to be a complete oversight in terms of giving them any preparation at all, Afghanistan aren’t a bad side, we're not talking about a minnow anymore. Afghanistan are a good white ball side, and they proved that yesterday. 
You can't go in half-baked.
LISTEN ABOVE

Weekend Sport with Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB brings you all the action and reaction to the sporting weekend.

Weekend Sport with Jason Pine

Jason Pine: The Black Caps can't go in half-baked

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/25502049-5e5f-4f91-abae-b18a001d6c20/transcript