***Official*** New Zealand in Australia

[Somerset]

Well thats what McCullums there for. His was an acceptable loss.

Vincent you ****.

How obviously tried to be a little to 'aggressive'.

But FFS Patel's in the side and we in all likelihood would struggle to break 200.

Damn you NZ, damn you.

Now I think Vincent should be dropped, he's be in bad touch and I think after a while he will come good but it's just painful at the moment.

Why are we playing Hopkins? Sinclair is the man we need in this scenario, FFS or Fulton I miss Fulton.

Hope to see a great rear guard movement here making this into a match as opposed to a slaughter.

Jeets 35 (30)
and 10-1-38-4

Heard it here first.

IMO Fulton should definitely be in there for Vincent. Didn't see the dismissal today but clearly his form is getting worse and worse.

Surprised Sinclair was dropped, hes only had a few opportunities at number seven, and was impressive in the 70 or so he scored vs South Africa. Hopkins, while impressive at domestic level, has not looked international level and against Tait and Lee I can't see him making too many runs today.

 

[Somerset]

I'm not surprised at this TBH. Batsmen all over the order, no Sinclair or Fulton and a highly ustable top order. We know McCullum is in the Jayasuria/Gilchrist role and can't be expected to score a hundred every game and Vincent is in the same role and he's out of form. Then we have the able but inexperienced young opener at 3! Idiocy. Then there's Hopkins....

McCullum
How
Sinclair
Fulton
Taylor
Styris
Oram
Adams
Mills
Vettori
Martin (ouch it hurt to say that)

Coach: Wright

I don't agree 100% with your side (McCullum opening and Styris at 6) but I'd sure settle for that team ahead of the one taking the field today. Patel for Martin and playing two spinners is an option too.

 

[Flem274*]

If Fulton gets selected there'll be a catch-he'll have to open.

 

[Flem274*]

I don't agree 100% with your side (McCullum opening and Styris at 6) but I'd sure settle for that team ahead of the one taking the field today. Patel for Martin and playing two spinners is an option too.

Actualy I forget Patel. Bye Martin, bring in Patel.

 

[Somerset]

Forgive me if it's been said already, but why is Fulton not on the tour?

Is it injury, form, or coach related?

I don't believe his relationship with Bracewell is an issue, his form clearly isn't one (averaging over 60 in domestic). Had knee surgery so I presume this is the reason:
http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/newzealand/content/story/313412.html

 

[Somerset]

If Fulton gets selected there'll be a catch-he'll have to open.

To be honest he looked more than capable opening in the later stages of the World Cup, I don't have a problem with him there.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Off topic, I realise... but why has Phlegm filled his signature with quotes that no one has actually said. Very much misrepresentation.

Not only am I not a big fan of that team place stealing bastard Allott but I would frankly want to headbutt a brick wall repeatedly if I ever made the faux-pas of using the CricketWeb phrase "Gun" within the expected context.

Plus, I'd spell Allott's name correctly. Your misrepresentation of me is despicable, Phlegm.

 

[TheLad]

If Fulton gets selected there'll be a catch-he'll have to open.

You would not move How up to open?

or better still bring Sinclair back and open him so Fulton can bat more in the middle order.

I think its a disgrace he is not on this tour because he certainly is a capable batsman.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Oh. And How's really showing his true ability in this tour so far. As I said when the kneejerkers were saying that he'd booked his place on the Aussie tour with his 80 against the Yarpies - one innings doesn't suddenly mean you've overcome your technical deficiencies.

 

[Flem274*]

To be honest he looked more than capable opening in the later stages of the World Cup, I don't have a problem with him there.

No way, he's one of our best middle order players so he should stay there. We don't need to waste him like Fleming was.

 

[Flem274*]

Oh. And How's really showing his true ability in this tour so far. As I said when the kneejerkers were saying that he'd booked his place on the Aussie tour with his 80 against the Yarpies - one innings doesn't suddenly mean you've overcome your technical deficiencies.

And Michael Papps would do any better? Alot of batsmen stuff up in their first tours of Australia

 

[Flem274*]

You would not move How up to open?

or better still bring Sinclair back and open him so Fulton can bat more in the middle order.

I think its a disgrace he is not on this tour because he certainly is a capable batsman.

I'd have How open most definitely with Fulton and Sinclair in the middle order. Hopkins would be on a qantas flight home.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Papps is a better player though. Much better in fact. Papps was sawn-off by being called up against his bogey team 8 months after being in a rich vein of form which Bracewell never had the courtesy to tap.

I'm sorry for saying this, but How is as embarrassing to me as the Marshall twins.

 

[Somerset]

No way, he's one of our best middle order players so he should stay there. We don't need to waste him like Fleming was.

I doubt he'd be wasted there, as I say, from the performances he put in opening at the World Cup he seemed to thrive in that position. If McCullum or an in-form Vincent is at the other end its a pretty useful combination IMO.

 

[Flem274*]

I doubt he'd be wasted there, as I say, from the performances he put in opening at the World Cup he seemed to thrive in that position. If McCullum or an in-form Vincent is at the other end its a pretty useful combination IMO.

I'd much prefer him in the middle order, its very very rare that a number 3 or number 4 makes a successful transition to open.

And Heath

A) Hamish had ability, he just didn't use it

B) James is far far lesser than How

 

[Athlai]

I kind of think without Franklin in the team we need McCullum in the lower order personally.

 

[Somerset]

I'd much prefer him in the middle order, its very very rare that a number 3 or number 4 makes a successful transition to open.

And Heath

A) Hamish had ability, he just didn't use it

B) James is far far lesser than How

The point I'm making is that if hes in the team and has to open, no problem. Personally I don't really care where he bats but deserves to be somewhere in the side.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

A) Hamish had ability, he just didn't use it

B) James is far far lesser than How

Nah. Hamish had limited ability and was given too many chances to prove it. A prime example of a player managing to base a short international career on a couple of lucky early innings.

And B.... James M may be a lesser player, but the gap's smaller than you'd like to think.

 

[Athlai]

I'd much prefer him in the middle order, its very very rare that a number 3 or number 4 makes a successful transition to open.

And Heath

A) Hamish had ability, he just didn't use it

B) James is far far lesser than How

Hamish used it and fizzled out IMO.

 

[Flem274*]

Nah. Hamish had limited ability and was given too many chances to prove it. A prime example of a player managing to base a short international career on a couple of lucky early innings.

And B.... James M may be a lesser player, but the gap's smaller than you'd like to think.

My selective eyesight is kicking in

TBH, Papps needs to get his technique against the short ball sorted. Maybe develop a pull shot like Peter Fulton did?