Can't see how that made sense tbh. Would have got Tuffey in there somehow, probably at the expense of Martin.Yes.
Sri Lanka have already batted themselves into a non losing position. New Zealand's attack doesn't even look capable of getting the five (possibly four) wickets which would take you into Sri Lanka's tail.
Martin the only seamer who has bowled well in both games?Can't see how that made sense tbh. Would have got Tuffey in there somehow, probably at the expense of Martin.
Tbf, this is SL in SL.Kiwis underwhelm. They can always compete but they can never win.
Auckland leggieWho is Nethula? I've never heard of him?
Young up and coming spinner?
Yeah exactly - Patel needs to show *something* this series that means he is worth retaining next time we encounter a pitch that turns.I think Patel's place could be in troube here if he doesn't start taking poles. In the past he's bowled very well on the flat pitches he usually gets included in but with a FC average of over 40 and some very poor bowling on pitches that suit him, plus his one dimensional bowling, I dunno....he's lucky Nathan McCullum is only a good one day bowler and that Nethula is prone to pie chucking in between good games, but that may not last forever.
At this rate Patel won't even be the best spinner in his FC side, Woodcock and the unfortunately dropped Houghton must be breathing down his neck. Athlai to disagree with me and abuse Oram and Elliott
Yup, exactly, would be very surprised if Patel would be good enough to play FC cricket anywhere other than NZ (or maybe Zim).To be honest, Patel really is one dimensional. He doesn't really vary his pace and he doesn't have a great arm ball. I can't imagine too many spinners who bowl consistent 85-90km/h off breaks with little variation troubling the Sri Lankans.
While Nethula's average isn't that crash hot, his strike rate is simply miles better than any other slow bowler in the country. Doesn't mean much of course, as Brooke Walker had a decent strike rate in FC cricket, but it's encouraging none the less.Auckland leggie
Tarun Nethula | New Zealand Cricket | Cricket Players and Officials | Cricinfo.com
Record isn't much to speak for yet.
Here's Patel's and McCullums.
Jeetan Patel | New Zealand Cricket | Cricket Players and Officials | Cricinfo.com
Nathan McCullum | New Zealand Cricket | Cricket Players and Officials | Cricinfo.com
And I'll chuck in some left arm spinners too for the hell of it. Bruce Martin and Luke Woodcock.
Bruce Martin | New Zealand Cricket | Cricket Players and Officials | Cricinfo.com
Luke Woodcock | New Zealand Cricket | Cricket Players and Officials | Cricinfo.com
Our spinners are all pretty meh.
Haha, Southee's bowling would have been eaten for breakfast, lunch & dinner. He's cannon-fodder on anything other than a green seamerPatel and Oram need to be dropped, we need Southee and Bond big time.
In his past four seasons, Martin's been pretty poor, averaging over 45 per wicket. It seems he was a lot more potent, back when he was a brat.Statistically Bruce Martin is our number two spinner. Sure he's similar to Vettori, but that won't do any harm.
Jeetan Patel is that you?What's with all these people putting down Patel? He's doing the best he can. I'd like to see one of u go out there and do one millionth as well as Patel. U people need to pull ur head in