***Official** Sri Lanka in New Zealand

[Lostman]

I hope malinga doesnt bowl with the new ball, his pace and short length coupled with these short boundaries would be a nice gift for the NZ openers.

 

[Fiery]

Im getting a bit optimistic about the world cup for NZ. Not this team as it is, but the two players I think we can keep, from this series,Taylor and Gillespie, will add so much to the NZ side, I think we could have a real good shot at the WC. I hope McMillan can find some form, and perform better than he has in the past. And Styris can come into the middle order too.

a top four of

McCullum
Astle
Taylor
Fleming.

is pretty good compared to other teams,

A bowling attack with Bond and Vettori leading , with Gillespie, and the all rounders of Franklin and Oram, and Patel and Mills hanging around seems pretty good.

McCullum
Astle
Taylor
Fleming
McMillan
Styris
Oram
Vettori
Franklin
Gillespie
Bond.

I like your optimism mate. However, we will need a completely injury-free team to have any chance and all players will need to play out of their skin to overcome those bloody Aussies. The dark-horse Windies, South Africa, Pakistan, India or Sri Lanka are all capable of winning it (state the obvious). I am just concerned about the fitness and lack of play Oram and Styris have had. Having said that, The Commonwealth Bank Series could not be a better build-up so, like you, I'm chipper about our chances

 

[James]

Patel is a must pick now IMO. He again showed why he's a better bowler than Vettori, and is just superb at the death.

I agree with Matt52's team except replace Vettori with Patel and Franklin with Mills.

 

[Perm]

They won't replace Vettori, not until Fulton or somebody else steps up to inherit the team from Fleming after the World Cup. Besides, Vettori has been bowling well enough and there is no reason him and Patel can't be in the same side.

 

[Matt52]

They won't replace Vettori, not until Fulton or somebody else steps up to inherit the team from Fleming after the World Cup. Besides, Vettori has been bowling well enough and there is no reason him and Patel can't be in the same side.

This is a long way in the future but Ross Taylor was the captain of the under 19 NZ side and he has captained central a few times when Oram was away. They could be grooming him for two or three years down the track.

 

[Will Scarlet]

I'd forget Oram unless he shows outstanding form for the rest of the Shield matches. Styris & Mills are the only players outside the current squad I'd want included.

The only thing stopping NZ being a serious threat in the WC is their top order batting.

 

[Fiery]

Patel is a must pick now IMO. He again showed why he's a better bowler than Vettori.

That is an absolutely massive call. I had not even considered it. To say he is a better bowler is ludicrous to be honest. No offence big guy.

Like Perm, I can't see why we can't play them both, actually

 

[Matt52]

Duck for Fleming. Unless he has some time in the middle in the next game he is going to be a little underdone for the Aussie series. Again we can thank old "what buzzword can I make up today" Bracewell.





Ofcourse he may score well in the next game in which case Bracewell's shrewd tactical mind has produced an effective result. His processes must have been trusted and the upskilling process is going well,

 

[Fiery]

I'd forget Oram unless he shows outstanding form for the rest of the Shield matches. Styris & Mills are the only players outside the current squad I'd want included.

The only thing stopping NZ being a serious threat in the WC is their top order batting.

I think you might be right about Oram

 

[James]

That is an absolutely massive call. I had not even considered it. To say he is a better bowler is ludicrous to be honest. No offence big guy.

I presonally think Patel can do a better job with the ball for us. If we have a bowling attack in the cup of Bond, Mills, Gillespie, Oram, Styris, Astle, McMillan, Patel. We've got plenty of options there and a perfect death bowler in Patel.

Vettori averaged 41.66 with the ball in ODI cricket in 2006 from 13 games, and Patel averaged 20.00 with the ball in ODI in 2006 from 8 games. Says a lot IMO.

Vettori to me is one of the most over-rated cricketers in world cricket today.

 

[Fiery]

I presonally think Patel can do a better job with the ball for us. If we have a bowling attack in the cup of Bond, Mills, Gillespie, Oram, Styris, Astle, McMillan, Patel. We've got plenty of options there and a perfect death bowler in Patel.

Vettori averaged 41.66 with the ball in ODI cricket in 2006 from 13 games, and Patel averaged 20.00 with the ball in ODI in 2006 from 8 games. Says a lot IMO.

What was Vettori's ecomony rate like in that time though, especially compared to his teammates? Just as important, if not more so, in ODIs

 

[NZTailender]

Taylor unluckly it seems. We're looking very shakey now. I'm somewhat glad we have the experience of McMillan in the side now, batting after Marshal. If we had James instead of Craig we'd be in so, so much trouble after the next wicket falls.

2-2 going into the final match will be exciting (unless Fulton can score a century, with marshall making 80 odd, Vettori having to hit the winning runs)

 

[Fiery]

Yet another stupid decision by an umpire that could have been avoided by going straight upstairs, if he was allowed. Change the rules to make the camera the umpire now you stupid fishheads at the ICC!

 

[Matt52]

With NZs current collapse, at least McMillan might have a decent amount of time to bat..

 

[NZTailender]

Vaas is tearing us apart. Some great bowling.


Someone desperately needs to stand up. Even if we lose, I hope someone makes at least 70.

 

[Natman20]

Can't see anything but a loss for New Zealand here. No good batsman at the end IMO and mcmillan wont perform I bet u

 

[Halfpast_Yellow]

Taylor unluckly it seems. We're looking very shakey now. I'm somewhat glad we have the experience of McMillan in the side now, batting after Marshal. If we had James instead of Craig we'd be in so, so much trouble after the next wicket falls.

2-2 going into the final match will be exciting (unless Fulton can score a century, with marshall making 80 odd, Vettori having to hit the winning runs)

James Marshall just scored 152 not out. I think the NZ top order could have used that form today don't you? Bit of a screwup in selection there in hindsight.

The stage is set for McMillian to be a hero now.

 

[James]

What was Vettori's ecomony rate like in that time though, especially compared to his teammates? Just as important, if not more so, in ODIs

Not sure on economy rate, but I compare it to the Giles/Panesar debate.

Giles = Vettori
Panesar = Patel
Bracewell = Fletcher

Vettori is picked because he adds to the batting at No 8 just like Giles, while Patel/Panesar is clearly the better bowler and has the record to prove it.

 

[Matt52]

taylor has been really unlucky in this series after his hundred. He was run out by James Marshall in Queenstown. He was given out by a non-catch in Christchurch. . And now, this Baxter guy has got a nervous twitch in his right arm that is provoked by loud noises.

 

[Fiery]

With NZs current collapse, at least McMillan might have a decent amount of time to bat..

Huge opportunity for fat-ass here