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

[slugger]

yeah right... cant expect 10 from styris..

 

[JASON]

Good allround team effort with Mills, Maccullum, Howe particularly doing well.

Now they really need to Nail the next one and atleast bring the ODI trophy home.

 

[cover drive man]

Poor play from South Africa but the kiwi's gave a great performance.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Cantered in, could have chased 70 more than that IMO.

Doubtful, given the recent form of NZ. Don't get too confident quite yet.

But then I see cricket through the eyes of a West Indies fan.

 

[MoxPearl]

Doubtful, given the recent form of NZ. Don't get too confident quite yet.

But then I see cricket through the eyes of a West Indies fan.

huh ??

We are a great chasing ODI team..

we are a crappy test team.. have been for a long long time

But im pretty sure we are ranked 3rd in ODIS ??

 

[Craig]

Wow this makes our day before it even started.

 

[Athlai]

Doubtful, given the recent form of NZ. Don't get too confident quite yet.

But then I see cricket through the eyes of a West Indies fan.

With over 10 overs to go I think we could've done so, we hit 210 at 5.43 an over. Pollock had one over left and other than that all of the others were going for runs. On this particular day we had a match were we could've chased far more due to the great work by How and McCullum yet this side certainly doesn't look on paper one that could do so very often.

Batting down to 9 again, I really love having such a long tail.

 

[Flem274*]

I like the current side, it gives a nice mix of sheer talent and experience. Jamie How is such a gun, must be the Taranaki blood.

Will be an interesting selection problem when Fulton returns. He has to play IMO and most likely at four. Vincent, Taylor and Sinclair will need scores to make sure they keep their places next game though Sinclair and Taylor have been unfortunate that they've only had one opportunity each. Its been a while since we've had such a nice selection problem.

I'm a bit worried that Oram is injured yet again after he left the field after finishing up his overs and does anyone know why Smith was a no show at the aftermatch interviews?

 

[Athlai]

What does everyone think about the apparent strategy of playing 3 openers (Vincent, McCullum and How?)

While only two have performed I can see this working quite well in the long term as the likes of Styris and Taylor are not exposed early and the team can build a fighting total.

I think as long as we are persisting with McCullum to open the batting we should have a 'back-up' opener to cover the first two.

McCullum
Vincent
How
Styris
Taylor
Sinclair
Oram
Franklin
Vettori
Mills
Bond

Strikes me as a world beating batting lineup. As long as all 3 openers don't fail (which is probably going to happen in 1 in 5-6 games I think that this is the best batting NZ can potentially get at the moment in the shorter form of the game.

I once again stand by the decision to play Franklin as long as Mills and Bond are in the team, if not then you can play it safe with Gillespie/Mason or Patel. Franklin IMO is a better bowler than Gillespie or Mason and has mostly suffered due to Bracewell's overuse of him when he has been out of form with the ball.

People should note that in his last 20 ODI matches he has averaged 31.60 with the ball with an economy of 4.90, all to often is he underrated on CW, as a Test bowler and an ODI one. Also he has averaged 37 with the bat in his last 20 matches.

When bowling in tandem with Bond in this period (14 times) he has averaged 28.53 with an economy of 4.7, S/R of 36.

To merely glance at Franklin's average of 37.37 and right him off is doing him a severe injustice IMO especially considering Gillespie averages 41.14 at 5.55 and Mason 36.52 at 5.16.

Franklin deserves more credit in the shorter form of the game.

 

[Fiery]

What does everyone think about the apparent strategy of playing 3 openers (Vincent, McCullum and How?)

While only two have performed I can see this working quite well in the long term as the likes of Styris and Taylor are not exposed early and the team can build a fighting total.

I think as long as we are persisting with McCullum to open the batting we should have a 'back-up' opener to cover the first two.

McCullum
Vincent
How
Styris
Taylor
Sinclair
Oram
Franklin
Vettori
Mills
Bond

Strikes me as a world beating batting lineup. As long as all 3 openers don't fail (which is probably going to happen in 1 in 5-6 games I think that this is the best batting NZ can potentially get at the moment in the shorter form of the game.

I once again stand by the decision to play Franklin as long as Mills and Bond are in the team, if not then you can play it safe with Gillespie/Mason or Patel. Franklin IMO is a better bowler than Gillespie or Mason and has mostly suffered due to Bracewell's overuse of him when he has been out of form with the ball.

People should note that in his last 20 ODI matches he has averaged 31.60 with the ball with an economy of 4.90, all to often is he underrated on CW, as a Test bowler and an ODI one. Also he has averaged 37 with the bat in his last 20 matches.

When bowling in tandem with Bond in this period (14 times) he has averaged 28.53 with an economy of 4.7, S/R of 36.

To merely glance at Franklin's average of 37.37 and right him off is doing him a severe injustice IMO especially considering Gillespie averages 41.14 at 5.55 and Mason 36.52 at 5.16.

Franklin deserves more credit in the shorter form of the game.

Vincent wont be anywhere near the test side on current form

 

[Athlai]

Vincent wont be anywhere near the test side on current form

Wasn't the Test squad I was naming. Don't think McCullum should even be considered as an opener in the longer form. So no 3 openers in that regard.

 

[Craig]

I don't think we will even see McCullum opening in Tests from Bracewell.

 

[Flem274*]

I don't think we will even see McCullum opening in Tests from Bracewell.

Don't speak too soon. Kwipostereborn could be on the phone to him.....

 

[Flem274*]

What does everyone think about the apparent strategy of playing 3 openers (Vincent, McCullum and How?)

While only two have performed I can see this working quite well in the long term as the likes of Styris and Taylor are not exposed early and the team can build a fighting total.

I think as long as we are persisting with McCullum to open the batting we should have a 'back-up' opener to cover the first two.

McCullum
Vincent
How
Styris
Taylor
Sinclair
Oram
Franklin
Vettori
Mills
Bond

Strikes me as a world beating batting lineup. As long as all 3 openers don't fail (which is probably going to happen in 1 in 5-6 games I think that this is the best batting NZ can potentially get at the moment in the shorter form of the game.

I once again stand by the decision to play Franklin as long as Mills and Bond are in the team, if not then you can play it safe with Gillespie/Mason or Patel. Franklin IMO is a better bowler than Gillespie or Mason and has mostly suffered due to Bracewell's overuse of him when he has been out of form with the ball.

People should note that in his last 20 ODI matches he has averaged 31.60 with the ball with an economy of 4.90, all to often is he underrated on CW, as a Test bowler and an ODI one. Also he has averaged 37 with the bat in his last 20 matches.

When bowling in tandem with Bond in this period (14 times) he has averaged 28.53 with an economy of 4.7, S/R of 36.

To merely glance at Franklin's average of 37.37 and right him off is doing him a severe injustice IMO especially considering Gillespie averages 41.14 at 5.55 and Mason 36.52 at 5.16.

Franklin deserves more credit in the shorter form of the game.

I liked Franklin in the closing stages of the WC. He looked very dangerous and when he got hit for four he didn't look like he was about to cry like he usually does, he looked angry and glared at the batsman and it seemed as if he was thinking "Right, time to outperform poncy glory boy fast bowler today. I'm gonna smash this lot over"

 

[Somerset]

Really pleased with the result in the 2nd ODI.

How's form is the most pleasing given the performance of Papps in the test series, and he is taking his opportunties well. Another decent knock in the 3rd ODI and he will have had a sublime tour.

I still don't believe McCullum is the best choice to open the batting with Lou Vincent, however given his success in yesterday's match I don't believe he'll be batting down the order for a little while again. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing Peter Fulton opening the batting as I believe he has the potential to form a good combination with Vincent. Its a dilemna then though, as if all three of Styris, Taylor and Sinclair play, potentially Styris would be the fifth bowler (which without McMillan is a bit risky IMO). Throw in Franklin and even the bowling options are looking relatively competitive.

As far as South Africa is concerned, why is Dale Steyn not playing? All due respect to Charl Langeveldt but I believe both Ntini and Steyn are more value. Not complaining from a New Zealand perspective but a little confused.

 

[Fiery]

Really pleased with the result in the 2nd ODI.

How's form is the most pleasing given the performance of Papps in the test series, and he is taking his opportunties well. Another decent knock in the 3rd ODI and he will have had a sublime tour.

I still don't believe McCullum is the best choice to open the batting with Lou Vincent, however given his success in yesterday's match I don't believe he'll be batting down the order for a little while again. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing Peter Fulton opening the batting as I believe he has the potential to form a good combination with Vincent. Its a dilemna then though, as if all three of Styris, Taylor and Sinclair play, potentially Styris would be the fifth bowler (which without McMillan is a bit risky IMO). Throw in Franklin and even the bowling options are looking relatively competitive.

As far as South Africa is concerned, why is Dale Steyn not playing? All due respect to Charl Langeveldt but I believe both Ntini and Steyn are more value. Not complaining from a New Zealand perspective but a little confused.

Surprised that you are talking about McCullum not being the right option and not Vincent on present form tbh mate

 

[Somerset]

Surprised that you are talking about McCullum not being the right option and not Vincent on present form tbh mate

I believe Vincent's best position in ODIs is opening the batting so I'd prefer for him to stay in that position. Though given How and McCullum's two performances so far I admit to being a bit leniant on his form. McCullum, I'm not so sure that his best position is opening; hes good there, perhaps even better than Vincent, but his position opening I'm not 100% convinced...yet.

 

[Fiery]

I believe Vincent's best position in ODIs is opening the batting so I'd prefer for him to stay in that position. Though given How and McCullum's two performances so far I admit to being a bit leniant on his form. McCullum, I'm not so sure that his best position is opening; hes good there, perhaps even better than Vincent, but his position opening I'm not 100% convinced...yet.

He has finally looked the part in the last 2 games. I've never had any doubt about his ability, whereever he bats. He will finish his career as one of the all-time greats of NZ cricket imo. He has talent to burn and a fantastic attitude towards the game

 

[Matt52]

McCullum
Vincent
How
Styris
Taylor
Sinclair
Oram
Franklin
Vettori
Mills
Bond

Strikes me as a world beating batting lineup. .

I dont know about world beating, most of them average in the 20's , buts its long, and thats where our strength lies.

when Fulton comes back though it will have to change, If McCullum can continue having some success opening and secure that position it saves a lot of selection headaches, an extra middle order batsman and one les opener we have to worry about.

I remember Ryder used to open for central in one dayers, and for wellington for a short time, but then he dropped down the order. I also remember reading an article in which Ryder said he wanted to open the batting for NZ but that was a long time ago, maybe things have changed. Im not sure, but if hes an option to open i think Bangladesh and England provide a great opportunity to get him into the side, and I cant see any other player being a better long term option to open in odis

McCullum
Ryder
Taylor
Vincent
Fulton
Styris
Oram
Vettori
Franklin
Mills
Bond

I think that team is better imo. Ryders more talented than How, more of a long term option along with Taylor. And Fulton would displace Sinclair. Im a big fan of Lou and I hope he stays in the team but Im always looking for a chance for him to go down the order. He just doesnt seem that suited to opening, and I hope he just has a position where he can bat normally, rather than premeditating stuff all the time.

 

[Somerset]

He has finally looked the part in the last 2 games. I've never had any doubt about his ability, whereever he bats. He will finish his career as one of the all-time greats of NZ cricket imo. He has talent to burn and a fantastic attitude towards the game

Oh I agree, to be honest I believe he has matured of late with his batting and personality especially after Vettori was appointed captain and the retirements of Cairns, Astle and McMillan forced him to step up as a senior member of the team. Quite clearly he is the number one wicket keeper in the country and I can't disagree that he should finish with a great reputation.