*Official* New Zealand in Sri Lanka

[Craig]

well u have a strange way of showing support. Anyway, there are probably a few NZ kids reading these forums as well. Do u want them to grow up thinking like you?

If wanting to get the best out of yourselves then yes. I think the question should be asked: "Are you happy with what you're doing?" and keep striving for improvement.

 

[straw man]

Reece "male model" Young?

 

[Flem274*]

Haha, I've got that same feeling mate.

Be careful. In a couple of years we could be yelling at you as Sehwag smacks NZ around on a Napier road.

 

[Meridio]

Reece "male model" Young?

Possibly Kruger "South African" van Wyk when he quaifies.

 

[Flem274*]

Regarding the batting, they're only replicating their FC records. Flynn averages low thirties in tests and FC. Guptill averages mid twenties in both. McIntosh makes one big score a year and a run of nothings in both, and *shock horror* the two guys with good FC records, Taylor and Ryder, have good test records.

I wouldn't have Broom at three, he bats at four or five for Otago generally. The number three's in NZ are: Daniel Flynn, Brad Patton (was Sinclair), Greg Todd, James Marshall (when Flynn's away), Neil Parlane, Johan Myburgh/Peter Fulton and Richard Jones.

All the old buggers seem to be number threes. Realistically the options are Flynn, Fulton, Patton, Marshall and Todd. (Myburgh aint qualified)

Openers: Ingram, How/Worker, Cumming, Redmond, Papps, Robertson, Bell, Brodie, Watling, Wilson, Guptill, and McIntosh.

McCullum is the best wicketkeeper in the country. He can bat kinda, and his keeping is a class above domestic keepers. He stays.

 

[_Ed_]

Excellent catch, Guptill.

 

[Meridio]

Finally. Another gifted wicket to Patel, but at least he's trying his best.

 

[Uppercut]

the two guys with good FC records, Taylor and Ryder, have good test records.

Mmm Taylor has nothing more than a half-decent test record. I can't imagine even a mediocre team like England would accept someone averaging 38 after 18 tests, but in New Zealand he's a star player. Needs to improve.

 

[Hurricane]

Regarding the batting, they're only replicating their FC records. Flynn averages low thirties in tests and FC. Guptill averages mid twenties in both. McIntosh makes one big score a year and a run of nothings in both, and *shock horror* the two guys with good FC records, Taylor and Ryder, have good test records.
.

Good post. Makes you wonder how some of those guys got picked.

I wouldn't have Broom at three, he bats at four or five for Otago generally. The number three's in NZ are: Daniel Flynn, Brad Patton (was Sinclair), Greg Todd, James Marshall (when Flynn's away), Neil Parlane, Johan Myburgh/Peter Fulton and Richard Jones.

All the old buggers seem to be number threes. Realistically the options are Flynn, Fulton, Patton, Marshall and Todd. (Myburgh aint qualified)
QUOTE]

People are proposing Fulton from this group. I don't mind Fulton. Although he didn't do well at 3 on the tour to australia a short time ago. Maybe he should get another chance.
Are our options restricted to number 3's
How about Guptil at 3.
If we want to keep investing in Guptil which most people including myself seem to want because he has so much talent - maybe he is better at 3. Guptil's strike rate seems to be consistent with a number 3.

 

[Hurricane]

Regarding Patels wicket...
I was really happy with his bowling there - he got smacked for 4 - and then he tossed the next one up there and dared the batsman to do it again which is perfect test match bowling. For me that is his first real wicket of the series.

 

[TT Boy]

Hopefully Sri Lanka are not that reserved. Probably have enough now but anything over 400 and they should win very comfortably.

To remain number two in the test rankings, Sri Lanka has to win.

 

[Hurricane]

The SL players are better than us no doubt. But Sangakarras helmet makes him look like he is in a Buck Rogers episode. Yes I realise if you are that good you can wear what ever you want. He would probably make a world 11.

 

[straw man]

Mmm Taylor has nothing more than a half-decent test record. I can't imagine even a mediocre team like England would accept someone averaging 38 after 18 tests, but in New Zealand he's a star player. Needs to improve.

Disagree with this.

Taylor is inconsistent and prone to giving his wicket away at times, but he is able to score runs against all sides - in fact if you filter out Bangladesh and West Indies from his test record his average goes up from 40 (where it is after todays innings) to 45. And I left in his debut series against South Africa in South Africa in which he understandably struggled. Managed to average 40 against Australia recently, which is not stellar, but not bad considering the weight of the world on his shoulders and the lack of batting partners.

I think England would have taken him over Bopara, Bell in the recent Ashes.

Of course he can improve, but he's not a *pressure is on so I'm going to fail* batsman like a certain someone mentioned above, in fact if anything Taylor's performances are rather, well, random.

 

[DIRK-NANNES]

Get Broom in at 6, van Wyk in at 7 and stick Fulton in at 3 as a stop-gap measure till Myburgh qualifies.

Watling and Ingram to open ??

I wonder what Taylor's First Chance Average is

 

[TT Boy]

Sri Lanka don't look in a rush. Might bat all the way up to tomorrow evening, get the 600+ lead, give themselves 100 odd overs against the New Zealanders on a wearing five day wicket and win by 380 runs.

 

[straw man]

McCullum is the best wicketkeeper in the country. He can bat kinda, and his keeping is a class above domestic keepers. He stays.

You speak words of sense. Hardly what's required here

 

[DIRK-NANNES]

The Piranha is out

EDIT: fairly unfair though, absolute howler of a decision.

 

[TT Boy]

On first viewing, that looks like one of the worst decisions I've seen in years.

 

[Uppercut]

Disagree with this.

Taylor is inconsistent and prone to giving his wicket away at times, but he is able to score runs against all sides - in fact if you filter out Bangladesh and West Indies from his test record his average goes up from 40 (where it is after todays innings) to 45. And I left in his debut series against South Africa in South Africa in which he understandably struggled. Managed to average 40 against Australia recently, which is not stellar, but not bad considering the weight of the world on his shoulders and the lack of batting partners.

I think England would have taken him over Bopara, Bell in the recent Ashes.

Of course he can improve, but he's not a *pressure is on so I'm going to fail* batsman like a certain someone mentioned above, in fact if anything Taylor's performances are rather, well, random.

Why would you filter out the West Indies, by the way? If anything runs against those teams are more important because you actually have a chance of beating them. Struggled to beat Bangladesh too recently itbt.

I find him incredibly underwhelming. Looks like he should be really good but just... isn't. Fair enough you probably don't have anyone better so I'm not saying he should be dropped. But his record really isn't very good.

 

[TT Boy]

Shocker from Harper.