**Official** New Zealand in England

[Richard]

Jeys, why did Oram have to get injured...

And, for that matter, why did Ryder have to punch that window...

And why did Peter Fulton have to go and lose form so badly that James Marshall, Grant Elliott and Gareth Hopkins are apparently preferable options...

Actually, BTW, does anyone remember - was McCullum fit to keep in the last game or not? Was Hopkins playing as a genuine batsman or was he playing because McCullum couldn't keep wicket?

 

[Prince EWS]

McCullum was fit to keep; Hopkins was merely deemed a better option than Fulton.

 

[Richard]

In other news, my postcount for this thread as of this post is 1,004 higher than the next-highest.

 

[Prince EWS]

In other news, my postcount for this thread as of this post is 1,004 higher than the next-highest.

Posts like that being a major contributing factor I'm sure.

 

[Richard]

Not really, nah. The "gooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeee" and "Strauss is looking good here, hope he carries it on" and "well played Andrew Strauss" ones make far bigger a dint TBH.

 

[GIMH]

what's the overall record for a CW thread? Could be in danger one feels

 

[Jamee999]

Nah, someone must've smashed it for the 05 Ashes.

 

[PhoenixFire]

In all of CW? Loads have gone over 5000.

 

[Leslie1]

Elliott's officially named in the eleven. Not quite sure how I feel about it. He has a more compelling case than any other allrounder, really, but that very fact is extremely worrying in itself. I can definitely see his bowling going the journey and I'd definitely have more faith in an out-of-form Fulton than Elliott with the bat as well.

Best of luck to him though - I hope he goes well.

Now that he's in, and we all know it's because Oram is injured or till another all rounder comes along, same sentiments from me to him. Do us proud! At least a lot of the Kiwi posters would be happy Marshall is dropped.

 

[Jono]

In all of CW? Loads have gone over 5000.

Not individual posts by a person though.

Faaip would have a chance in 2005 Ashes maybe? Can't remember who else as active in that thread.

Actually, I doubt faaip touched 1000 posts in that thread. Can't think of anyone having over 1000.

Maybe Pasag in the 06/07 Ashes, cos he's a weirdo.

 

[tooextracool]

I have no problem with Ambrose playing at all, gives the lowe order great strenght. Its just that the top-order has a great hole which is again is very unfortunate that is the case (Tres retiring) give the ODI has put together its best combo of players in a long while.

Ideally Mustard should not have been dropped because he essentially provided the pinch hitter role that Wright is probably incapable of doing. With Mascrenhas, Shah, Collingwood and Bopara, England essentially has a fairly decent middle-order that the likes of Tim Ambrose is not even necessary.

I dont even want to think of Cook and Bell opening the batting at this point IMO. Picking Prior is just plain madness at this point, not only because he was actually a proven failure only as long ago as a year. I dont think much has changed in the 4-5 odd list A games hes played since. Further it would just really dot the question marks on the ECB selection policy at the moment given the musical chairs that they have been playing with their keepers.

 

[tooextracool]

1. OPENER - WK
2. Bell
3. Pietersen
4. Collingwood
5. Shah
6. Bopara
7. Mascarenhas
8. Swann
9. Broad
10. Sidebottom
11. Anderson
    

imo. That'd be ideal. The gap is Mustard atm, but that's the gap. Don't like Bopara at 4, think he's much more of a 6 - and Colly and Shah are both better in the middle imo. Lots of bowling options as well - 5 front-line + 2 part-time + 2 back-up.

Dont like Collingwood at 4. Hes not a top order player in ODIs IMO, apart from the odd miracle ala the Commonwealth Bank Series. Collingwood averages 46 odd at number 5 and theres no reason to move him from there. I'd prefer Shah at 4 although Bopara at 4 works too.

 

[tooextracool]

pretty sure in that case Aussie, either Shah or Bopara misses out and Flintoff bats 6 with Ambrose 7, it's not rocket science, Flintoff would be too low (in ODI) at 7, and the lower order is still a hellova lot stronger than we've had in recent past with Broad at 9 and Sidey at 10. Essentially with Flintoff back it threatens Wrights place because we already have 5 frontliners + colly, especially if Bopara has kept his place above Shah as he provides another option. Then Wright's place is a lot more dependent on his batting which may see a specialist opener come in

If Freddie does return, Id prefer to see him open the batting at 6 tbh. Hes been a consistent failure at number 6 and clearly prefers playing himself in rather than slogging in the last 10 overs of an inning.

 

[tooextracool]

Why? What is with this obsession (thought it was just Duncan Fletcher, but evidently not) with having a wicketkeeper open the batting in ODIs? The best batsman of wicketkeepers should bat in his best position. In the case of approximately zero good wicketkeeper-batsmen in this country is opening their best position..

Except that the best wicket keeper batsmen in the country is still a rubbish batsman and would not make it into the side on his batting alone. Which is why he opens the batting and plugs the gap. I do not see the logic of having to drop Mascrenhas so that someone like Ambrose can come in and average 25 odd at number 7. Meanwhile Luke Wright or Alistair Cook (and shoot me if we see Strauss again) offers England with their fantastic services at the top of the order. It blows my mind.

 

[Matt52]

Nan, you need How at 3 with the likes of Ryder and McCullum opening. Someone who can steady the ship, someone to break up 3 agressive batsman.

I think Taylor is the best no3 in the country and so he should bat there. Actually, I dont see a place for How in the side. I know he has done well but I dont know how long that will continue and he doesnt seem to fit in well in the batting order. I think he is the third best opening option behind McCullum and Ryder and the second best no3 option behind Taylor, so he might have to battle it out with Flynn for the no4 spot imo,

 

[pasag]

Maybe Pasag in the 06/07 Ashes, cos he's a weirdo.

Anyways, 1000+ posts in a match thread:

1,408 - Richard (**Official** England in New Zealand - 2007/8)
1,394 - silentstriker (***Official*** India in South Africa - 2006/07)
1,350* - Richard (**Official** New Zealand in England - 2008)
1,226 - FaaipDeOiad (***Official*** Australia in England (The Ashes) - 2005)
1,159 - adharcric (***Official*** India in South Africa - 2006/07)
1,119 - Dravid (***Official*** India in South Africa - 2006/07)

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Quality not quantity

 

[Blakey]

Watling - needs a few more domestic seasons...

Just a few months ago, and I know this is nothing to go by.... but I will post about it nonetheless, because I have an unhealthy obsession with any ND player and any up and coming young player who's name happens to be mentioned within earshot.

Sums it up really.

 

[Raghav]

I think Taylor is the best no3 in the country and so he should bat there. Actually, I dont see a place for How in the side. I know he has done well but I dont know how long that will continue and he doesnt seem to fit in well in the batting order. I think he is the third best opening option behind McCullum and Ryder and the second best no3 option behind Taylor, so he might have to battle it out with Flynn for the no4 spot imo,

I cant imagine How batting at No.4. I think he is lot better at opening slot than in the middle order. I am not sure how good is he at playing spin.

I am not sure about him at 4. Its better we have him opening or else ask him to be 12th man

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

The weather forcast for todays match isn't looking too good.