***Official*** New Zealand Domestic Season 2008/09

[Athlai]

To be fair though it's a worry considering how dire ND is.

 

[GGG]

Flynn goes well before Ryder does IMO.

Yeah Franklin for Flynn. In all seriousness how soon can we expect him back? Is he bowling a full speed?

 

[Flem274*]

Bahnz, where do you think CDs home ground is? Perhaps that would explain the high amount of runs Hay scores at Napier? Also Napier in domestic cricket is no where near the standard of the test pitch, if the domestic commentators are correct in their statements. Hay doesn't have many low scores in his career either, so on dificult pitches he is still showing the smae ability of Flynn. Also we're talking a player whom at the time of selection was averaging approx 25 runs more than Daniel Flynn (55 odd vs 30 odd). Thats basically Aaron Redmonds test average, its pretty clear cut who is the better batsman. Hay has his technical flaws, but he has a far better chance of success than Flynn in international cricket.

In saying that, I wouldn't bring Hay in right now and whoever wanted him opening earlier I'm rather annoyed with. He's not in tip top form atm, but he had a slowish start in his first few games last season too irrc. He should get his form back though, he adjusted to domestic cricket from club cricket like a duck to water.

 

[Flem274*]

Yeah Franklin for Flynn. In all seriousness how soon can we expect him back? Is he bowling a full speed?

Pretty sure he is.

Franklins big scores mean one of two things:

a) Franklin is awesome at batting

b) Domestic cricket has gone to pot.

Reckon its A

Seriously, he's taking over from Matt Sinclair.

 

[Matt52]

In saying that, I wouldn't bring Hay in right now and whoever wanted him opening earlier I'm rather annoyed with. .

That was me. .

Oh, and I also suggested Flynn for opening,

And now Im suggesting Franklin.

 

[Flem274*]

Chris Martin next?

 

[freckleslol]

Martin would be interesting. He'd take a bit of the shine off the ball at least when the ball smashes into his stumps

 

[Athlai]

NZ Openers this season

JM How 170, 0, 14, 0, 16, 28 @ 38
AJ Redmond 5, 13, 3, 10, 83, 19 @ 22.17

Ranked through average
(Well)MD Bell 146, 122, 3 @ 90.33
(Ot)SB Haig 52, 28* @ 80
(CD)PJ Ingram 37, 1, 247, 33 @ 79.5
(Auck)TG McIntosh 140, 9, 1, 8, 191 @ 69.8
(Ot)CD Cumming 85, 31 @ 58
(Well)JM Brodie 40, 2, 110 @ 50.67
(ND)BJ Watling 21, 40, 2, 111 @ 43.5
(Cant)MHW Papps 14, 26, 16, 40, 53, 35 @ 30.66
(Auck)RA Jones 28, 22, 5, 25, 69 @ 29.8
(ND)CJ Merchant 0, 25, 89, 7, 10, 16 @ 24.5
(CD)GH Worker 24, 27, 11, 22 @ 21
(ND)BS Wilson 36, 1 @ 18.5
(Ot)HD Rutherford 0, 31 @ 15.5
(Cant)TD Astle 0, 23, 1, 26, 4, 29 @ 13.83

 

[Athlai]

Wellington destroying ND here 6 wickets from 2 and a bit sessions needed.

 

[Woodster]

Would it be a crime if NZ stuck with How and Redmond and finally showed some consistency with the top two ?
Was impressed with How during the two series against England, and Redmond has had his moments (not too frequently mind) against the best side in the world (I'm referring to Australia rather than England), despite looking all at sea against England. Give them both a little more time,imo.

 

[Athlai]

Think Redmond retained his spot and How should have his.

 

[Flem274*]

Is Watling not playing this game or have you not updated his scorecard?

Strange if he's not playing.

ND should go with this line up tbh

Wilson
Watling
Merchant
Parlane
Marshall
Williamson
McGlashan
Martin
Aldridge
Scott
Boult

Atm, correct me if I'm wrong, their batting is a bit short with Aldridge at like 7 or something.

 

[Athlai]

Is Watling not playing this game or have you not updated his scorecard?

Strange if he's not playing.

ND should go with this line up tbh

Wilson
Watling
Merchant
Parlane
Marshall
Williamson
McGlashan
Martin
Aldridge
Scott
Boult

Atm, correct me if I'm wrong, their batting is a bit short with Aldridge at like 7 or something.

Watling not playing opening with Wilson and Merchant.

 

[Flem274*]

Watling not playing opening with Wilson and Merchant.

Must be injured. Itd be mad to drop Watling after a 100.

 

[Woodster]

Think Redmond retained his spot and How should have his.

They seem constantly under pressure. One poor score and it all re-surfaces and inevitably the axe will drop.

 

[Athlai]

Must be injured. Itd be mad to drop Watling after a 100.

Yeah Watling is far better than either of the openers in his place currently.

 

[Athlai]

They seem constantly under pressure. One poor score and it all re-surfaces and inevitably the axe will drop.

I think How is rather comfortable at the moment TBF. And Redmond is under deserved pressure as his place is in jeopardy due to his under performance and decent domestic results at home.

 

[Woodster]

I think How is rather comfortable at the moment TBF. And Redmond is under deserved pressure as his place is in jeopardy due to his under performance and decent domestic results at home.

I appreciate they have to meet selectors half way and put a few decent scores on the board. Jamie How looks the pick of the NZ openers in the past 18 months or so, and is it not fair to suggest that domestic cricket in NZ is not the best guide to who is the best batter to accompany How ? Admittedly there then becomes a problem of what basis do players get selected, but the selectors really need to earn their money here and pick the one they believe has the best technique, temperament, potential etc, to succed in Test cricket, and persevere. It should take a staggering number of runs in the State Championship to suggest otherwise.

 

[Matt52]

Chris Martin next?

we'll see how things go. He has to work on his back foot shots.

like I said before, Mark Greatbatch used to coach Hay and said he was an opener and said he would have no hesitation in putting him in to open in the NZ team. I havent even seen Hay play but thats a good enough endorsement for me. He should at least be considered as an opening option. Sorry Flem, former NZ cricketer and his former coach that knows the guy personally outranks your opinion in my book.

Flynn, just because he seems like a tough nut, and seems to have an openers apporiach to things, ...... and when clutching at straws, at least take an educated guess.

Franklin, I dont know. The problem is for me someone has to do it, we cant just send nobody out and when the bowler hits the wickets with the first ball, send in our no3...... or can we?

 

[Matt52]

I appreciate they have to meet selectors half way and put a few decent scores on the board. Jamie How looks the pick of the NZ openers in the past 18 months or so, and is it not fair to suggest that domestic cricket in NZ is not the best guide to who is the best batter to accompany How ? Admittedly there then becomes a problem of what basis do players get selected, but the selectors really need to earn their money here and pick the one they believe has the best technique, temperament, potential etc, to succed in Test cricket, and persevere. It should take a staggering number of runs in the State Championship to suggest otherwise.

Makes perfect sense to me. But unfortunately there are no NZ openers that clearly stand out above the rest as having a better technique, potential etc. Its not like there is a Matthew Hayden back there in domestic cricket just waiting to find some form. They are all much of a muchness.

As for Redmond, If he showed great potential and struggled to score then I would agree he should be persevered with. But IMO he looks out of his depth somewhat at international level and has mainly put up low scores. I cant see him getting any better, but wouldnt mind to be proved wrong. In Aus, his only score came on an excellent batting track and most of his runs came against a nervous offspinner. His main scoring options off the pace bowlers seemed to be nicking through the slips.