***Official*** New Zealand in Bangladesh

[Athlai]

Athers NZ Test XI

How
Redmond (meh)
McCullum(wk)/Flynn
Taylor
Ryder
McCullum(wk)/Flynn
Oram
Vettori (c)
Mills
Patel/O'Brien/Southee (form and conditions dependent)
Martin

Would like Taylor at 3 in the long term, but only after we find another opener. McCullum will destroy Bangers anywhere probably.

Really missing Fulton here, as well as Franklin (who I would play in front of Jeet's and co.), hoping that they don't miss the next tour. Fulton being back in form is the best news in months for NZ.

As for ODI

Ryder
McCullum
How (mix and match the top 3 TBH)
Taylor
Styris
Flynn/Elliot
Oram
Vettori
Mills
Southee
Patel/Martin and maybe even Gillespie

Really this team should destroy Bangers, we have a good ODI top order, which is frankly amazing being a Kiwi and the middle order is solid. Would really like to see Hay or Flynn take their place in the team for good soon to solidfy the side. I like Elliot as a back up player but not as a starter. As for the bowling the only genuine GOOD bowlers we have in the country are Vettori, Mills, Franklin, Southee. Reckon we're missing Bond but we're doing better than expected without him, thanks to the second tier players doing well. Martin's played his heart out, as have the others. Patel should get a game if conditions dictate two spinners are the way to go.

Once again Fulton could make this good side into an even better one (possibly pushing out the Virus).

 

[bryce]

O'Brien got pasted on debut by Aussie its true, but lately he has bowled good areas and if he continues to bowl well during the Bangladesh series then he deserves to be in the team for Australia, may as well find out if he has what it takes against them sooner rather than later.

So did Shane Bond
I'm picking O'Brien to gain incumbency in the Test side this season, and would prefer to see Mills solely as an ODI specialist, with Southee to take his spot in the Test team sooner or later and hopefully Franklin to spearhead with him. Like the look of this bottom five

7.Oram
8.Vettori
9.Franklin
10.Southee
11.O'Brien

 

[Polo23]

Southee has to play for mine. He is the best young bowler we have by a long way, and already at the age of 19 he has shown more than a lot of other blokes who are in line.

I'm not convinced about O'Brien...while he bowled well in England he has been absolutely rubbish in every other international game he has played.

My test and ODI XI's for the tour are:

Test

Jamie How
Aaron Redmond
Jesse Ryder
Ross Taylor
Daniel Flynn
Jacob Oram
Brendon McCullum
Daniel Vettori
Kyle Mills
Tim Southee
Chris Martin/Iain O'Brien (Martin if fit)

ODI

Jesse Ryder
Brendon McCullum
Jamie How
Ross Taylor
Scott Styris
Jacob Oram
Grant Elliott
Daniel Vettori
Kyle Mills
Tim Southee
Mark Gillespie

I was impressed with Gillespie on the England tour. He seemed to be concentrating more on accuracy than he has done in the past and got some nice movement and bounce with the new ball. He has been knocking off the top of Queensland, India A and Australia A all winter so has been in good form. Southee at first change is good also, he seems to get movement with the white ball even when it is 12-15 overs old.

There is also a more traditional NZ look with that ODI side. There are the 4 specialist bowlers then 4 batsmen who can offer good support with the ball if needed (Oram, Elliott, Styris, Ryder). Very handy to have.

 

[NZTailender]

So did Shane Bond
I'm picking O'Brien to gain incumbency in the Test side this season, and would prefer to see Mills solely as an ODI specialist, with Southee to take his spot in the Test team sooner or later and hopefully Franklin to spearhead with him. Like the look of this bottom five

7.Oram
8.Vettori
9.Franklin
10.Southee
11.O'Brien

Mills has been our best test bowler since Franklin got injured, imo. Don't see why he should make way for Southee. It's not like he's an old man either. If anyone is going to give way for Southee it'll probably be Martin, in a few years time.

At the moment I think Southee should continue to play domestic cricket, ODI's, and only play tests when there's an injury.

 

[bryce]

Not now but down the track, like when Franklin is back. imo O'Brien looks alot more likely to take wickets than Mills, to say the least I wouldn't be too sad if Mills eeked out of the Test side, but obviously that wouldn't be a chance of happening if the other seamers' didn't perform. Not convinced Martin will be bowling for NZ for as many as a few more years but he will definately get a good number of overs in this season.

 

[NZTailender]

Not now but down the track, like when Franklin is back. imo O'Brien looks alot more likely to take wickets than Mills, to say the least I wouldn't be too sad if Mills eeked out of the Test side, but obviously that wouldn't be a chance of happening if the other seamers' didn't perform. Not convinced Martin will be bowling for NZ for as many as a few more years but he will definately get a good number of overs in this season.

LOL. Sorry Bryce, but this is one of the most ridiculous posts I have ever read re: NZ seamers. O'Brien more likely to take wickets than Mills?

Mills trumps O'Brien in pretty much every aspect of seam bowling. I have warmed to O'Brien of late as he bowled impressively in England but simply, Mills>>>O'Brien.
Considering Mills is young, and only just getting going in his test career, considering the lack of tests we played in the past, why on earth would we want to eek him out?

He's performed more than simply good in the past couple of years, and has been relatively consistent. I would hazard to agree that O'Brien is also a 'wicket-taker' in terms of being threatening, but Mills is more threatening.

If anyone is to be eeked out, it should be Martin - and even then it shouldn't be for another couple of years. Greatly improved, but yet, not outstanding. Consistent, and for some reason, a destroyer of the South Africans. Doesn't strike me as a threatening bowler. Is a good work-horse, though.

An attack of Martin, Mills, O'Brien until Franklin is fit and firing, looks good to me. Martin, O'Brien and Southee doesn't fill me with confidence.

 

[Polo23]

Martin, Mills and Southee fills me with a ****load more confidence than Martin, Mills and O'Brien.

O'Brien is a work horse...why do we need another work horse when we have one in Martin? Southee is a genuine wicket taker, with genuine world class potential. He should get the gig.

 

[bryce]

LOL. Sorry Bryce, but this is one of the most ridiculous posts I have ever read re: NZ seamers. O'Brien more likely to take wickets than Mills?

Mills trumps O'Brien in pretty much every aspect of seam bowling. I have warmed to O'Brien of late as he bowled impressively in England but simply, Mills>>>O'Brien.
Considering Mills is young, and only just getting going in his test career, considering the lack of tests we played in the past, why on earth would we want to eek him out?

Because he is a medium pace along the wicket bowler who is **** with the old ball against quality batsmen. However, there is no doubt that he has improved his consistency .
For mine, you saying O'Brien trumps Mills in pretty much every aspect of seam bowling is a much more ridiculous statement. Pace? Bounce? Hitting the pitch hard? Stamina?
I am in no way arguing that Mills is the inferior Test bowler at this present moment, I just reckon O'Brien has a big season around the corner, and I personally, would prefer Franklin & Southee as our swing bowlers rather than Mills. I am again, in no way saying Mills cannot cut it at Test level because he has proved himself as a Test-class bowler, and for all I know could be in the Test side for the next five years, it is just personal opinion/preference...

 

[bryce]

Martin, Mills and Southee fills me with a ****load more confidence than Martin, Mills and O'Brien.

O'Brien is a work horse...why do we need another work horse when we have one in Martin? Southee is a genuine wicket taker, with genuine world class potential. He should get the gig.

Yeah no need at the moment, just personally long-term in the Test side I would like to see O'Brien replace Martin & Franklin replace Mills. I am not predicting that will happen, just that would be my preferred attack(with Southee). But who really knows Martin & Mills may now be bowling better than they ever have..

 

[Polo23]

Yeah no need at the moment, just personally long-term in the Test side I would like to see O'Brien replace Martin & Franklin replace Mills. I am not predicting that will happen, just that would be my preferred attack(with Southee). But who really knows Martin & Mills may now be bowling better than they ever have..

You are looking at O'Brien long term? He is 32! He probably only has 3 seasons max left in him.

When Franklin comes back fit i'd suggest the lineup will be:

Franklin
Martin (Mills when he retires)
Southee

I'd also take a guess that some of the younger guys - Trent Boult, Leighton Burtt, Hamish Bennett - will be pushing for Mills' spot after Martin retires.

 

[Athlai]

Well Mills if there's swing.

 

[bryce]

He just looks like the sorta guy who always gives 100% and never stops charging in, imo injury is the only thing that could halt his rise, he's already had the tough learning experiences and he posseses a heck of alot of good qualities. One of the main reasons I like him is imo he could potentially be effective on any surface, too many NZ seamers over the time do not get the results in away Tests but nearly always perform at home. Martin has 49 wickets at over 40 in away Tests, though he is(and probaly always will be) extremely effective in NZ.

Currently, i'd have a good look at McMillan & Sherlock before Bennett(serves up a heap of four-balls), but Burtt has started to prove himself as a genuine wicket-taker and should only get better

 

[NZTailender]

Because he is a medium pace along the wicket bowler who is **** with the old ball against quality batsmen. However, there is no doubt that he has improved his consistency .
For mine, you saying O'Brien trumps Mills in pretty much every aspect of seam bowling is a much more ridiculous statement. Pace? Bounce? Hitting the pitch hard? Stamina?
I am in no way arguing that Mills is the inferior Test bowler at this present moment, I just reckon O'Brien has a big season around the corner, and I personally, would prefer Franklin & Southee as our swing bowlers rather than Mills. I am again, in no way saying Mills cannot cut it at Test level because he has proved himself as a Test-class bowler, and for all I know could be in the Test side for the next five years, it is just personal opinion/preference...

Yes. I believe that mills is in every way better than O'Brien as a bowler. Pace would be the only dubious area, there. Mills can also bat.

 

[Polo23]

I'm unsure what O'Brien has done to make you think he is a bowler who can perform on any surface. Giving 100% doesn't make you good. Hell, if I played international cricket I would give it EVERYTHING, it doesnt mean I would be effective.

James McMillan is 30 years old...I doubt the selectors would be looking for such an old seam bowler, unless he was taking 5 wicket bags every time he bowled.

The last time I saw Richard Sherlock play was when he was bowling 150k's for Canterbury and genuinely looked scary. After that he got crippling injuries and from what i've heard he is no more than a medium pacer now, his FC average of 34 and List A average of 183 doesnt fill me with confidence. If he still has some of that blistering pace he showed early on in his career he could be a genuine prospect though. Can anyone verify how quick he is bowling at the moment?

Bennett ended last season with a bang..he knocked over some pretty good batting lineups. I feel he will only get better with age, and from all reports he has all the attributes to be a great bowler.

 

[NZTailender]

This thread is getting really ridiculous. Why are people suddenly pushing for Mills to be replaced? He's been our best test seamer for three years, is under 30, offers more to the team with his bowling than Martin and O'Brien, and can also bat a bit.

Why on earth would you drop our best seam bowler in the last 3 years for a guy who has been given quite a few chances and simply isn't test class, no matter how hard he tries or how nice he is, or for a young bloke who is still learning his trade?

Mills isn't simply keeping Franklin's spot warm until he returns. He's our #1 seamer in both Test and ODI. What is wrong with you people?

 

[bryce]

I'm unsure what O'Brien has done to make you think he is a bowler who can perform on any surface. Giving 100% doesn't make you good. Hell, if I played international cricket I would give it EVERYTHING, it doesnt mean I would be effective.

Because his bowling doesn't rely on particular conditions to be effective, yes I saw the Aus Test but believe he's progressed. Hopefully he gets a Test or two, if he provides failure then feel free to pay me out

James McMillan is 30 years old...I doubt the selectors would be looking for such an old seam bowler, unless he was taking 5 wicket bags every time he bowled.

His career has been curtailed by injury, but obviously he would need a huge season(personally I reckon he's got it in him). If there is one thing we have learnt from Aussie, it is that age should never be a deterrent if their getting the results

The last time I saw Richard Sherlock play was when he was bowling 150k's for Canterbury and genuinely looked scary. After that he got crippling injuries and from what i've heard he is no more than a medium pacer now, his FC average of 34 and List A average of 183 doesnt fill me with confidence. If he still has some of that blistering pace he showed early on in his career he could be a genuine prospect though. Can anyone verify how quick he is bowling at the moment?

Can't say i've seen him bowl post-injuries either, just saw he made a couple of appearances this year and have been aware of his potential for a number of years now. Very unfortunate if injuries have had that bigger impact on him

 

[_Ed_]

This thread is getting really ridiculous. Why are people suddenly pushing for Mills to be replaced? He's been our best test seamer for three years, is under 30, offers more to the team with his bowling than Martin and O'Brien, and can also bat a bit.

Why on earth would you drop our best seam bowler in the last 3 years for a guy who has been given quite a few chances and simply isn't test class, no matter how hard he tries or how nice he is, or for a young bloke who is still learning his trade?

Mills isn't simply keeping Franklin's spot warm until he returns. He's our #1 seamer in both Test and ODI. What is wrong with you people?

Does no one remember his possibly even match-winning spell at Hamilton?

 

[NZTailender]

Because his bowling doesn't rely on particular conditions to be effective, yes I saw the Aus Test but believe he's progressed. Hopefully he gets a Test or two, if he provides failure then feel free to pay me out

O'Brien can be dire in all conditions, yes, yes he can.

Edit: should probably read the original post

 

[bryce]

Mills isn't simply keeping Franklin's spot warm until he returns. He's our #1 seamer in both Test and ODI. What is wrong with you people?

You are right(not crazy). I was only pushing for him to be replaced if other seamers out-perform him. If Mills has a stellar Test season then i'll deserve all the paying out I get. It may be some peoples belief(obviously me for one) that other bowlers are potentially better than him. From a spectators point of view, i'd say O'Brien looks much more like a Test bowler than Mills, though in all fairness Mills has(to date) put up numbers O'Brien could only wish for

 

[NZTailender]

You are right(not crazy). I was only pushing for him to be replaced if other seamers out-perform him. If Mills has a stellar Test season then i'll deserve all the paying out I get. It may be some peoples belief(obviously me for one) that other bowlers are potentially better than him. From a spectators point of view, i'd say O'Brien looks much more like a Test bowler than Mills, though in all fairness Mills has(to date) put up numbers O'Brien could only wish for

Well, if McCullum has an ordinary test season should he be dropped? Vettori? Taylor? Mills deserves to be persevered with, as he's put in the effort and been good. Potential can only get you so far if you're not living up to it.
I'd personally like to see O'Brien and Mills in tandem in the coming summer. I suspect that our bowling attack will do well in Bang and the home series, and suffer as usual in Australia.