West Indies and India in New Zealand

[Salamuddin]

India haven't won a test in NZ since 1976...wonder if that will change this time ?

India have probably got the seamers who can do the job in Kiwi conditions this time but whether their batsmen can actually produce a decent performance is the big question.

 

[pup11]

India haven't won a test in NZ since 1976...wonder if that will change this time ?

India have probably got the seamers who can do the job in Kiwi conditions this time but whether their batsmen can actually produce a decent performance is the big question.

I think the Black Caps are really too weak a test side to potentially challenge India atm.

 

[Bahnz]

While you'd think Oram should be batting higher up the order, he actually has a vastly superior record batting at number 7 (45 as opposed to mid 30's at 6 and 27 at 5), and he batted very well there against England earlier this year, so it might be an idea to leave him there. If Franklin makes it back into the test side this summer and mills stays, he should have enough support to still make plenty of runs.

McCullum is problematic, as he's shown promise pretty much everywhere he's batted, without ever really making any position his own. I guess number 5 or 6 would do. I also think we'll see Ryder grace the test side with his presence this summer, if he manages to go OK in Australia. He is, quite simply, the most talented first class batsman in the country. Let's hope he doesn't wind up ruining himself.

How
Redmond/Cumming
? (Sinclair or maybe Flynn)
Taylor
Ryder
McCullum
Oram
Vettori
Franklin
Mills
Martin

 

[bryce]

The stats indeed do say that but I cannot see how a player who likes to take a bit of time to get in would prefer batting at 7. I reckon Oram at 6 and McCullum at 7. Then Vettori at 8 and 3 seamers at positions 9, 10 & 11.

 

[NZTailender]

I'm guessing Redmond may be retained for Bangladesh, to get him some confidence ahead of Australia, otherwise he'll be dropped. Then we go into Australia with only 1 experienced opener...


Unless they call up Cumming, who scored a fifty on debut in Australia IIRC.

Personally, after thinking more about this, I'd probably go How and Cumming in Bangladesh, Fulton at 3, who is apparently finding form on the A tour?

 

[Polo23]

Unless they call up Cumming, who scored a fifty on debut in Australia IIRC.

Personally, after thinking more about this, I'd probably go How and Cumming in Bangladesh, Fulton at 3, who is apparently finding form on the A tour?

I'm pretty sure he made 74 on debut against Australia in New Zealand.

I thought Cumming was a good prospect. Thought he would have been retained for the England tour of NZ, he would have been a better bet than Bell turned out to be.

Fulton scored 83 against Queensland opening the batting.

@ Bahnz - they won't go with Sinclair at number 3, Flynn is the best bet...then probably Hay or Broom.

 

[NZTailender]

I'm pretty sure he made 74 on debut against Australia in New Zealand.

I thought Cumming was a good prospect. Thought he would have been retained for the England tour of NZ, he would have been a better bet than Bell turned out to be.

Fulton scored 83 against Queensland opening the batting.

@ Bahnz - they won't go with Sinclair at number 3, Flynn is the best bet...then probably Hay or Broom.

Flynn at 3? Uh, no. I think he'll continue to play at about 5 if he's selected. IMO he's not the kind of person you want at 3. Someone like Fulton or Broom is, though.

And you're right, Cumming made that debut fifty in NZ

 

[Flem274*]

I'd prefer to not see Cumming again until he's sorted the LBW flaw.

Sneaky suspicion that Guptill will get in if he makes runs. We love having an average age of 14 in our sides atm and a young opener scoring runs=instant selection probably.

In saying that, I rate Guptill, but needs some FC runs before selection.

Also want O'Brien playing home tests now that he's bowling like his phenomenal FC record says he should (its the best in the country iirc, or just behind Mason). Line+length=movement on home pitches could be the matchwinner for us, and that includes India, because India and NZ just love playing in the others conditions (not).

 

[NZTailender]

I'd prefer to not see Cumming again until he's sorted the LBW flaw.

Sneaky suspicion that Guptill will get in if he makes runs. We love having an average age of 14 in our sides atm and a young opener scoring runs=instant selection probably.

In saying that, I rate Guptill, but needs some FC runs before selection.

Also want O'Brien playing home tests now that he's bowling like his phenomenal FC record says he should (its the best in the country iirc, or just behind Mason). Line+length=movement on home pitches could be the matchwinner for us, and that includes India, because India and NZ just love playing in the others conditions (not).

Guptill is on the A tour so he should be able to get runs there. Getting runs in India could possibly ensure his selection for Bangladesh.

 

[bryce]

'A' tour should fill in the rest of the batsman, including the other opener. But Fulton opening, ugh

 

[Flem274*]

On a sidenote, I'd like to see Flynn score lots against Bangladesh. He's looked a test batsman except for one issue-lack of runs.

Whats up with Fulton? If he can score runs in the best domestic comp in the world then I'm amazed he's looked so poor in internationals. Potentially our best bat in years to come, not as flashy as certain others but he's consistent (generally ), clam, talented and just looks a high quality batsman. Hope he scores big for NZ A.

James Marshall and Reece Young on the other hand, are going to have to score lots more fifties and hundreds before I'm convinced they'll ever be of any use.

On the WI series-too close to call. The nature of both sides means we should wait until the series is closer before we make calls. Both are far too inconsistent to judge where they'll be at. As for India, its their best chance to beat us, and our seamers will possibly need to carry our batsmen (depends on form and who is available/picked really). I really rate India, but they hate coming to NZ as much as we hate their conditions, and they'll probably be given a nice cold test in Dunedin I suspect as well. I think it will be close, do we get rid of Bracewell by then?

 

[Athlai]

New Zealand at home will edge out the Windies IMO, particularly if they're understrength. We just pushed a decent English side in two series and if we had a bit more guts we would've won it. WI came nowhere near England last time.

Of course WI have some real stars and only need them to play to their potential and their other guys to have a good tour for us to get our butts whipped. Should be a gun series.

India's bowling will likely be shambles, but as long as their batsman score at 50% their natural ability we should be in trouble I reckon.

 

[Polo23]

I reckon India will crumble.

I do rate their batsmen very highly..especially their youngsters coming through but I just can't see them acclimatising well enough to our conditions.

There bowling is pretty poor of late also. Sharma has been overhyped, RP Singh has done an Irfan Pathan, Irfan Pathan has completely lost it and Zaheer Khan doesnt seem to be too much of a threat anymore, though he may give our top order trouble with the new ball, as all left arm swing bowlers seem to.

Harbhajan and Kumble's threat will be nullified also, we wont produce big turners and our pitches don't really deteriorate at all. Vettori doesnt need a pitch to spin to be a threat, but I don't quite see the same in Harbhajan and Kumble.

 

[Days of Grace]

You never know, Kumble and one or two of the big four may have retired by the time they make it to New Zealand.

 

[Polo23]

You never know, Kumble and one or two of the big four may have retired by the time they make it to New Zealand.

Yep, good point. Though in that case I don't see a whole lot of difference. Whatever side they bring they will be very unaccustomed to NZ conditions and their spinners will likely not enjoy the decks.

That isn't to say they can't do well though.

 

[Brett Dale]

Weather permitting, New Zealand will sweep both series.

 

[Perm]

India's bowling will likely be shambles

I reckon the Indian seam bowlers will use the conditions to their advantage and perform really well tbh. If the ball moves around a little bit ou batting will be in all kinds of trouble against Ishant, RP Singh, Zaheer and Irfan/Munaf.

 

[bryce]

Whats up with Fulton? If he can score runs in the best domestic comp in the world then I'm amazed he's looked so poor in internationals. Potentially our best bat in years to come, not as flashy as certain others but he's consistent (generally ), clam, talented and just looks a high quality batsman. Hope he scores big for NZ A.

It is because the selectors do not bat him at his specialist number four position. He has even publicy spoken out at his frustration of being tossed around the batting order, even after apparently being promised the number four position by the selectors and still not given a chance to bat there. I hope this changes with the new coaching structure because as you say he is a ****ing solid bat

 

[roseboy64]

For Test matches : Chris Gayle (Captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan (Vice Captain), Lionel Baker, Carlton Baugh, Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Leon Johnson, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor.

The selectors have indicated the team for the One-Dayers and T20s in New Zealand will be named later.

 

[krkode]

Random thought, but really wish Shane Bond would be allowed to play for NZ again. The NZ of old with Cairns, Fleming, Bond, Astle, Styris, Vettori used to be one of my favorite teams in cricket but with most of them retired and Bond relegated to the sidelines it's almost heart-breaking trying to root for NZ.

Bond had the potential to be an all-time great, IMO!