GROUP C - New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Kenya

[Bahnz]

His average is inflated by batting a bit at number 9 since his return. Batting in his usually positions at 7 and 8, he averages 23-25. Yeah its decent considering the role he plays and the fact that he hits out, but really at No 7 (where his batted the most) you do get the odd chance to push on and make some meaningful innings. But more often then not if there isn't a platform made for him from the top order he struggles to made a decent contributions. He does a good job in one role, but thats all his good for, he will never we a top line batsmen that will make significant contributions. Just a decent lower order slogger thats good for quick runs, even in Twenty20 thats not always good enough to win you matches. You need guys who can bat throughout an innings, which is something McCullum can't do yet and hasn't shown any signs of doing.

Now I never denied that McCullum has, and may continue, to struggle as a top order player. The point I've been trying to make is that McCullum's role as a batsman is mainly to add some impetus at the end of the innings, which as you admit he does pretty well. As for showing no signs of making significant contributions, again you're probably being a bit harsh. He is only 25 after all, the age at which many international batsman only first make their debut. And he's shown some good signs, such as his matchwinning 86* against Australia earlier this year, and on the rare occasions when New Zealand plays test cricket he's made built some good innings. I recognise that he may never evolve as a player, and I'm certainly not saying he's destined to become the pillar of New Zealand's middle order, or one of the great wicket keeper batsmen, but to say he will never be a good ODI batsman is going too far.

 

[Bahnz]

I presume McCullum will open the batting in the Twenty20, that's why his poor record of opening the batting in ODIs is relevant here. So far McCullum has a good Twenty20 record but he's still only got a top score of 39. I don't know who else will open the batting with him, that's the sort of thing NZers will know a lot more about than me. In Twenty20 having someone bat through most of the innings makes such a difference, you will virtually always post a good total if one of the openers scores 70-80 (Fleming was more than capable of that). Even if you have batting depth you'll still slow down if you keep losing wickets - that's what I see happening to NZ, a few players chipping in but not the quality to allow them to get a good total against the sides they''ll need to beat to win this.

Agreed. Fleming's absence leaves the side unbalanced and with Astle gone too, this side is dangerously short on experience. However, I think more than anything, Fleming's absence is an indicator of just how unimportant New Zealand Cricket considers this tournament to be. They clearly would much rather him getting some practice in 4 day county cricket, than wasting time in a meaningless hit and giggle tournament, which is actually refreshing to see.

 

[chaminda_00]

Agreed. Fleming's absence leaves the side unbalanced and with Astle gone too this side is dangerously shor on experience. However, I think more than anything, Fleming's absence is an indicator of just how unimportant New Zealand Cricket considers this tournament to be. They clearly would much rather him getting some practice in 4 day county cricket, than wasting time in a meaningless hit and giggle tournament, which is actually refreshing to see.

So when your next Test Series again? TBH i wouldn't be surprised if Fleming doesn't get dropped from the ODI squad as well.

 

[Perm]

So when your next Test Series again? TBH i wouldn't be surprised if Fleming doesn't get dropped from the ODI squad as well.

Next home Test series is January IIRC, against Bangladesh, then a few Tests against England. I think we may have an away series somewhere before then though.

 

[Bahnz]

So when your next Test Series again? TBH i wouldn't be surprised if Fleming doesn't get dropped from the ODI squad as well.

We finally get a good string of test matches later this year. Two matches against South Africa in October, two more against Bangladesh in December and January, and then 6 in a row against England from February to June.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Agreed. Fleming's absence leaves the side unbalanced and with Astle gone too, this side is dangerously short on experience. However, I think more than anything, Fleming's absence is an indicator of just how unimportant New Zealand Cricket considers this tournament to be. They clearly would much rather him getting some practice in 4 day county cricket, than wasting time in a meaningless hit and giggle tournament, which is actually refreshing to see.

Absolute rubbish.

NZ hardly ever rest anyone from what I remember, and only a complete ignoramus would call this a meaningless hit and giggle tournament.

 

[armchairumpire]

Agreed. Fleming's absence leaves the side unbalanced and with Astle gone too, this side is dangerously short on experience. However, I think more than anything, Fleming's absence is an indicator of just how unimportant New Zealand Cricket considers this tournament to be. They clearly would much rather him getting some practice in 4 day county cricket, than wasting time in a meaningless hit and giggle tournament, which is actually refreshing to see.

Maybe there is something else going on re Fleming?

http://yahooxtra.net.nz/sport/0,,14556-7756933-25,00.html

 

[Flem274*]

Havent had a chance but finally have one to give one comment about our squad selection.

We drop our captain and arguably best batsman and bring in a test specialist greentop bully to bowl? Makes sense.

And with regards to McCullum. Isn't it the usual average for a wicket keeper batting at 7? He's not highly consistent but neither is Jayasuria. Not saying he is anywhere near as good as Jayasuria but if they were cars Jayasuria would be the 2005 McLaren F1 car: Inconsistent but when on form bloody destructive. McCullum is the 2007 BMW F1 car: Inconsistent but when on form grab a top five finish.

From what I've seen from McCullum up to 2005-06 he was fairly ordinary. Since one of the first stupidly huge CH trophy run chases to present he has become one hell of a finisher.

 

[JASON]

Murali out of 20/20 after injury in county game Yesterday.....Looks like he is not going take any chances till the Australian tour - needs 6 weeks to recover...

http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=1&NewsIDAuto=4416

 

[Athlai]

Muralis absence bodes badly for Sri Lankas ability to control the scoring rate of the other teams. While they still have good bowlers in Vaas and Malinga, this will be a big blow to them.

I think a lot of pressure will be placed on Malinga in this WC, on keeping the run rate down. Something he has had trouble with thus far in his career, should be interesting, I hope sky shows every match because I don't want to miss one.

 

[Raghav]

Murali's absence will surely make Blackcaps favorites IMO. Favorites - I mean Favorites to top the group

 

[chaminda_00]

Nah Sri Lanka will still dominate.

 

[Flem274*]

Muralis absence bodes badly for Sri Lankas ability to control the scoring rate of the other teams. While they still have good bowlers in Vaas and Malinga, this will be a big blow to them.

I think a lot of pressure will be placed on Malinga in this WC, on keeping the run rate down. Something he has had trouble with thus far in his career, should be interesting, I hope sky shows every match because I don't want to miss one.

But we have a rugby world cup, who would want to miss the mentally retarted brother of league have a world cup in favour of the greatest team sport in the world? (IMO)

 

[Nishan]

But we have a rugby world cup, who would want to miss the mentally retarted brother of league have a world cup in favour of the greatest team sport in the world? (IMO)

Yea good thing Tv 3 has got the rugby so cricket lovers can catch 20/20 on Sky. Also rugby fans when Australia is 90-7 ahead vs Japan or when NZ is 140-0 against Portugal.

20/20 is just a side dish to rugby world cup if one gets bored of the rugby,and lookin at the rugby played past 12 months few of the games will bore some to death

 

[Scaly piscine]

I find it pretty hilarious Ian Chappell has rated NZ the second best team in the competition. Bond reckons the pitches will be slow and flat, which should allow NZ's barrage of mediocrity to catch up somewhat.

 

[Athlai]

I find it pretty hilarious Ian Chappell has rated NZ the second best team in the competition. Bond reckons the pitches will be slow and flat, which should allow NZ's barrage of mediocrity to catch up somewhat.

Well thanks for your input, would you like to send the letter to Mr Chappell or shall I? I'm sure he will be very disappointed you caught him out in that terrible terrible mistake.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Well thanks for your input, would you like to send the letter to Mr Chappell or shall I? I'm sure he will be very disappointed you caught him out in that terrible terrible mistake.

If he ranks NZ as the second best team in this competition it's doubtful he would have the cognitive faculties required to be able to open any letter sent to him.

 

[Perm]

See, to me, this is deliberate flaming against New Zealand. I don't mind if you don't rate any New Zealand team or players, which is quite obviously the case, but to go out of your way to rubbish a team is just ridiculous.

 

[Athlai]

See, to me, this is deliberate flaming against New Zealand. I don't mind if you don't rate any New Zealand team or players, which is quite obviously the case, but to go out of your way to rubbish a team is just ridiculous.

Totally agreed and its been happening for a while. And on most subjects he's quite a good poster.

 

[Flem274*]

I find it pretty hilarious Ian Chappell has rated NZ the second best team in the competition. Bond reckons the pitches will be slow and flat, which should allow NZ's barrage of mediocrity to catch up somewhat.

I don't get it, Fiery gets banned for abusing Aussies yet this little peice of **** gets away with abusing NZ.

We have to beat England now or I'm going to break something..

EDIT: Is his post worth reporting to the big bosses?