***Official*** New Zealand in South Africa

[Flem274*]

This Zimbabwean bloke sounds like fun then. How many more years before we get to use him? I'd love to debut him against Zimbabwe.

 

[Athlai]

The last 3 times I've seen him, he's had first-ballers...

Loved the Pulp Sport advertisement on "How to Bat like Chris Martin" one of the funniest things I've ever seen on TV.

 

[Athlai]

This Zimbabwean bloke sounds like fun then. How many more years before we get to use him? I'd love to debut him against Zimbabwe.

Been here since 2005 possibly earlier, so surely within the next 2 years if he could be considered for the team.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Loved the Pulp Sport advertisement on "How to Bat like Chris Martin" one of the funniest things I've ever seen on TV.

That was indeed a classic TV moment. Good sport it seems old Marto.

 

[Athlai]

That was indeed a classic TV moment. Good sport it seems old Marto.

Which is what made it all the more funny, you can see it on his face when he goes out to bat, he considers getting a run a huge batting achievement. Great entertainment.

 

[Flem274*]

It's always great when Martin comes into bat when playing in NZ. The 12 people present give him a cheer that could rival an MCG roar.

 

[Perm]

Matthew Sinclair - I think by now he should realise that his time has been and gone, unfortunately for both him and New Zealand cricket. Personally I beleive he could still be a great servant for the Black Caps, and if handled correctly, could've been one of our best Test batsman. However, John Bracewell and the current coaching staff obviously aren't supportive of him, and continually mess around with him as a player, which really grinds my gears. I think Sinclair should go overseas, I'm sure an English county would love to snaffle up his signature and he would score heavily IMO, much like Craig Spearman has done.

Colin de Grandhomme - Gun batsman, really somebody to keep an eye on. He should get a few opportunities for Auckland during this domestic season, and I fully except him to make the most of his chances here in New Zealand. I think it's a bit early to get excited about him as a possible Test player or anything like that, but he has potential, that's for sure.

James Franklin - What's the story? Is his injury genuine? I think, given how injury prone Bond is, that missing Franklin is a huge blow to our chances. Easily our second best seamer, and I think a better Test bowler than Vettori aswell. Is there any substance to the rumours about him attempting to remodel his action?

Anyway, the squad itself. I am very, very pleased to see Craig Cumming in the mix. Obviously he is a bit older, 34 now I think, but he is the best choice to partner Papps at the top of the order. He did reasonably well against Sri Lanka during our last Test series, before being bamboozled by Muralitharan, and deserved to retain his place. Papps was the logical choice to open the innings, and he should do well.

Fulton should bat at #3, it's the position he is best suited for and he fits into the batting lineup well. Glad to see him not opening. Also, best choice we've made in a while by selecting Fleming. I had serious doubts whether he would be picked, and I though NZC would try and sever all ties with him, which would've been a mistake. Styris at #5, because I don't think Ross Taylor is ready for Test cricket yet.

Oram, McCullum and Vettori pick themselves, as does Bond as our spearhead. I went a little out of the ordinary and picked Jeetan Patel, as some of the wickets South Africa have been producing lately have been reasonably favourable to spin bowling, and I think he is a better option than Martin, Mason and Mills. Gillespie to partner Bond with the new ball.

Craig Cumming
Michael Papps
Peter Fulton
Stephen Fleming
Scott Styris
Jacob Oram
Brendon McCullum (wk)
Daniel Vettori (c)
Shane Bond
Mark Gillespie
Jeetan Patel

 

[Athlai]

If Patel plays I'll be one pleased young man. Whatever figures he gets will end up as my signature for goodness knows how long.

 

[Flem274*]

Matthew Sinclair - I think by now he should realise that his time has been and gone, unfortunately for both him and New Zealand cricket. Personally I beleive he could still be a great servant for the Black Caps, and if handled correctly, could've been one of our best Test batsman. However, John Bracewell and the current coaching staff obviously aren't supportive of him, and continually mess around with him as a player, which really grinds my gears. I think Sinclair should go overseas, I'm sure an English county would love to snaffle up his signature and he would score heavily IMO, much like Craig Spearman has done.

Colin de Grandhomme - Gun batsman, really somebody to keep an eye on. He should get a few opportunities for Auckland during this domestic season, and I fully except him to make the most of his chances here in New Zealand. I think it's a bit early to get excited about him as a possible Test player or anything like that, but he has potential, that's for sure.

James Franklin - What's the story? Is his injury genuine? I think, given how injury prone Bond is, that missing Franklin is a huge blow to our chances. Easily our second best seamer, and I think a better Test bowler than Vettori aswell. Is there any substance to the rumours about him attempting to remodel his action?

Anyway, the squad itself. I am very, very pleased to see Craig Cumming in the mix. Obviously he is a bit older, 34 now I think, but he is the best choice to partner Papps at the top of the order. He did reasonably well against Sri Lanka during our last Test series, before being bamboozled by Muralitharan, and deserved to retain his place. Papps was the logical choice to open the innings, and he should do well.

Fulton should bat at #3, it's the position he is best suited for and he fits into the batting lineup well. Glad to see him not opening. Also, best choice we've made in a while by selecting Fleming. I had serious doubts whether he would be picked, and I though NZC would try and sever all ties with him, which would've been a mistake. Styris at #5, because I don't think Ross Taylor is ready for Test cricket yet.

Oram, McCullum and Vettori pick themselves, as does Bond as our spearhead. I went a little out of the ordinary and picked Jeetan Patel, as some of the wickets South Africa have been producing lately have been reasonably favourable to spin bowling, and I think he is a better option than Martin, Mason and Mills. Gillespie to partner Bond with the new ball.

Craig Cumming
Michael Papps
Peter Fulton
Stephen Fleming
Scott Styris
Jacob Oram
Brendon McCullum (wk)
Daniel Vettori (c)
Shane Bond
Mark Gillespie
Jeetan Patel

Excellent post. And I'm sure I read in the Taranaki Daily News that his action is being remodelled.

 

[Athlai]

Taranaki Daily News

 

[Pup Clarke]

Nah, wouldn't want to have Patel and Gillespie in a test match for NZ yet, I'm yet to be convinced by Gillespie tbh and would want Chris Martin in place of him.

So I'd go for...

Cumming
Papps
Fulton
Fleming
Styris
Oram
McCullum
Vettori
Mills
Bond
Martin

 

[Perm]

Excellent post. And I'm sure I read in the Taranaki Daily News that his action is being remodelled.

Cheers. Have they got an online edition or something? Because if Franklin is actually getting his action remodelled then we should be worried.

 

[Perm]

Nah, wouldn't want to have Patel and Gillespie in a test match for NZ yet, I'm yet to be convinced by Gillespie tbh and would want Chris Martin in place of him.

So I'd go for...

Cumming
Papps
Fulton
Fleming
Styris
Oram
McCullum
Vettori
Mills
Bond
Martin

Paul Harris, a rookie spinner for South Africa, has been quite effective during the last couple of Test series against India and Pakistan, generally two of the better players of spin, and the surfaces helped him. I think it would be a mistake not to play Patel TBH, he's a much better option than Mills and Mason on anything other than a greentop, while Chris Martin is only effective if the ball is swinging.

 

[Flem274*]

Taranaki Daily News

Waihi

 

[Pup Clarke]

Another thing, is Iain O'Brien really behind the likes of Mason, Gillespie and Martin?. Definitely deserves a oppurtunity because of his domestic performances.

 

[Flem274*]

Cheers. Have they got an online edition or something? Because if Franklin is actually getting his action remodelled then we should be worried.

Not sure. I know you can read stuf from today but that was a few weeks back that I read it. Also, the daily news is being very rugby biased and the 20/20 was usually in the "briefly" column.

 

[Athlai]

Paul Harris, a rookie spinner for South Africa, has been quite effective during the last couple of Test series against India and Pakistan, generally two of the better players of spin, and the surfaces helped him. I think it would be a mistake not to play Patel TBH, he's a much better option than Mills and Mason on anything other than a greentop, while Chris Martin is only effective if the ball is swinging.

If Franklin was in the team I think this would be more likely, but as he's not I feel they will almost certainly not play him.

@ Phlegm: Low blow. Don't knock the Waihi Leader (though I read the Bay of Plenty Times).

 

[Flem274*]

Another thing, is Iain O'Brien really behind the likes of Mason, Gillespie and Martin?. Definitely deserves a oppurtunity because of his domestic performances.

Yes, yes, sadly he is. I wholeheartedly agree with you.

 

[Perm]

Another thing, is Iain O'Brien really behind the likes of Mason, Gillespie and Martin?. Definitely deserves a oppurtunity because of his domestic performances.

Michael Mason dominates domestic cricket, he really does. Any bowler that can bowl it on a length and gets swing and seam usually does, even though he's fodder when it comes to international bowling. Gillespie is a potential pick, as he dominates for Wellington, but also has that extra yard of pace and a few good ODI performances to his name. Martin is really the misfit, has a poor domestic record but has been a decent Test bowler for a while, good when he gets his swing going.

 

[Perm]

If Franklin was in the team I think this would be more likely, but as he's not I feel they will almost certainly not play him.

Why's that? The batting should be fine, Vettori at #8 is long enough.