***Official West Indies in New Zealand***

[99*]

Haven't seen much of today but caught Ryder's dismissal then - disappointing to see another New Zealander get so close to a century but fail to cash in. Looking good in the Vettori vs Franklin bet with 99* at the moment though am probably a bit fortunate given the mode of Franklin's dismissal!

 

[Athlai]

Vettori

 

[roseboy64]

Vettori

Out.

 

[Athlai]

We need 100 more runs, and don't have Tim 'slog out' Southee, go on Mills attack.

 

[Bahnz]

We need 100 more runs, and don't have Tim 'slog out' Southee, go on Mills attack.

No we don't. I can't see us batting on if we reach 350.

 

[Athlai]

No we don't. I can't see us batting on if we reach 350.

That's asking a lot from our bowlers I reckon.

 

[Days of Grace]

Vettori: c: Mills b: Crozier

Mills not telling him that a man had gone out to deep cover; Cozier putting a quality jinx on him in the commentary box.

 

[Bahnz]

That's asking a lot from our bowlers I reckon.

I doubt the windies will get a middle ground score. Even if they do, we don't necessarily need to force them to follow on. A lead of a hundred, a 2nd innings bash of 200, and then 80 overs on the last day could well be enough to win it.

 

[Atreyu]

Vettori to declare when Mills is on 49 or 99

 

[Athlai]

I doubt the windies will get a middle ground score. Even if they do, we don't necessarily need to force them to follow on. A lead of a hundred, a 2nd innings bash of 200, and then 80 overs on the last day could well be enough to win it.

Yeah you could be right but 450 would have been very comfortable.

 

[Athlai]

Taylor and Edwards have been far and away the best bowlers here, how has Powell picked up 3?

 

[James]

Yeah you could be right but 450 would have been very comfortable.

Couldn't ever expect that IMO. I still really wonder why we play O'Brien, Gillespie, Mills, Franklin, Vettori when our main problem in Australia was batting. Bowling over-load here.

 

[Athlai]

Couldn't ever expect that IMO. I still really wonder why we play O'Brien, Gillespie, Mills, Franklin, Vettori when our main problem in Australia was batting. Bowling over-load here.

Oram's injury was the only reason for that I guess.

Think we could've expected it at the climax of the McCullum Ryder partnership, but after that? Nah.

 

[Bahnz]

They're being played because Oram's injured. Vettori and Franklin are both good enough to be test match number 7's, Mills is a perfectly qualified number 9 and Gillespie is a decent 10, with O'Brien being a passable 11. It's a much stronger tail than what was present in Australia.

 

[James]

Oram's injury was the only reason for that I guess.

Think we could've expected it at the climax of the McCullum Ryder partnership, but after that? Nah.

But replace Oram with Mills? Surely it called for another batsman in the squad as we had 3 seamers anyway in O'Brien, Gillespie and Franklin with Ryder for a few overs and Vettori. One of Mills, Gillespie, O'Brien and Franklin aren't going to bowl many overs.

 

[Athlai]

But replace Oram with Mills? Surely it called for another batsman in the squad as we had 3 seamers anyway in O'Brien, Gillespie and Franklin with Ryder for a few overs and Vettori.

I think it shows a certain bit of worry about Franklins bowling.

 

[steds]

Noticed Baker's listed as fast on cricinfo. How quick is he?

Intrigued about what he has that would earn him a place in a Test side.

 

[James]

I think it shows a certain bit of worry about Franklins bowling.

Yeah it sure does. Franklin is a number 7 for the future, but right now I'd say he's more a No 8 or 9. Especially when you look at his test career to date. IMO, if he can't bowl 100%, you shouldn't select him. He can't bat as well as he can bowl.

 

[Bahnz]

Noticed Baker's listed as fast on cricinfo. How quick is he?

Intrigued about what he has that would earn him a place in a Test side.

Not sure why he's listed as fast, because he's struggled to get it through at 135 km/h.

 

[Athlai]

Yeah it sure does. Franklin is a number 7 for the future, but right now I'd say he's more a No 8 or 9. Especially when you look at his test career to date. IMO, if he can't bowl 100%, you shouldn't select him. He can't bat as well as he can bowl.

Even a Franklin at 90% offers more to the attack than anoth RFM/RMF.