Who should replace Peter Siddle for the Tour of New Zealand?

[Johnners]

Is he fit?

Nope

Selectors really have no option but to choose a greenhorn.

 

[Uppercut]

Going with Zac; McKay. Hasn't really shown his best bowling for OZ yet.

That's not really a good thing though, tbf. When one bowler underperforms when he makes the step up and another overperforms, I'm always inclined to go with the latter. Evidence on Harris (or any other candidate) is far too limited for me to make a call here, but I'm not really having that particular reasoning.

 

[Flem274*]

We only have two proven test class batsmen now that Ryder is out with injury and we're very fortunate they're quite good ones...does it really matter who you pick?

 

[Top_Cat]

That's not really a good thing though, tbf. When one bowler underperforms when he makes the step up and another overperforms, I'm always inclined to go with the latter. Evidence on Harris is far too limited for me to make a call here, but I'm not really having that particular reasoning.

That's far from the only consideration, tbh. He's actually bowled well without luck; bowled at least as well as Rhino did in Adelaide and was zipping the ball both ways off the deck the other day.

I'm as big a fan of Harris as anyone, love the guy, but although he's bowled well, he's always been a good LO bowler, his batting and big engine being part of a nice package. Really doesn't move the nut enough in FC cricket relying more on either beating guys with pure speed or them going after him. McKay isn't a big swinger either but hits the seam more, draws edges, etc. The sucky irony is that when Harris was a 125Km/h fast-med bowler, used to get plenty of movement off the seam. When he bulked up and put on some pace, lost a lot of his movement.

He and McKay had similar numbers last year but at least McKay has some overs under his belt this year. Harris' injury history is against him too; it's why he's playing for QLD instead of SA. Both are fit and firing but at least with McKay, it's less likely he won't be fit and firing half-way through a Test series.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

We only have two proven test class batsmen now that Ryder is out with injury and we're very fortunate they're quite good ones...does it really matter who you pick?

McCullum, Vettori, Taylor = 3, no?

 

[Top_Cat]

Tait is retired from test cricket because he's a headcase.

Reckon the tendonitis in his hammies has a bit more to do with it, tbh.

 

[Flem274*]

McCullum, Vettori, Taylor = 3, no?

McCullum flits between test class and facepalm.

Very good player though when you combine his batting with his excellent keeping but as a batsman alone he's in a grey area.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

McCullum flits between test class and facepalm.

Very good player though when you combine his batting with his excellent keeping but as a batsman alone he's in a grey area.

But you admit in the context of a wicketkeeper surely he's as much a Test class batsman as anyone about these days. I suppose Prior and Haddin excepted.

 

[Flem274*]

But you admit in the context of a wicketkeeper surely he's as much a Test class batsman as anyone about these days. I suppose Prior and Haddin excepted.

Well yeah Dhoni and Prior are easily above him, along with Haddin. Haven't seen Boucher in ages. Better than Ramdin and Prasanna. Kamran has a better record but without checking cricinfo, is a bit of a subcontinent specialist judging by how he handled Aus/NZ conditions.

As an overall player he's easily test class and very good. As a batsman alone he hovers in between good and very poor, and he can switch between the two within a few shots.

I was probably harsh on him but he's not a player that fills me with a lot of confidence in tests. Gun in limited overs though.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Completely forgot Dhoni, but he's a freak of nature. In terms of a general standard for Test class wicketkeeper-batsmen, an average over 30 is surely what you look at. Over 40 is more likely a batsman-wicketkeeper.

 

[Flem274*]

Completely forgot Dhoni, but he's a freak of nature. In terms of a general standard for Test class wicketkeeper-batsmen, an average over 30 is surely what you look at. Over 40 is more likely a batsman-wicketkeeper.

Yes, but I'm discounting wicketkeeping here because keeping doesnt matter when you're batting. I'm not saying McCullum sucks because he isn't an amazing batsman or that he should be one, was pointing out that as far as batsmen alone go we are very, very thin.

McCullum shouldn't have to be our third best bat (which he is now Ryder is out) or have to be both a very good batsmen with a 40+ average along with being a top class wicketkeeper (which he is).

A wicketkeeper scoring 30s with some 50s and the occassional century down at number seven is good, but it isn't a player thats going to give the opposition nightmares unless they suck. The players that are supposed to give the opposition nightmares are the six above the wicketkeeper.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Maybe I'm speaking from a West Indian perspective, but beggars can't be choosers really. But yes, I agree with what you're saying.

 

[Flem274*]

Maybe I'm speaking from a West Indian perspective, but beggars can't be choosers really. But yes, I agree with what you're saying.

Yeah. It will be interesting. I doubt Flynn will hold his place for the Bangladesh test, maybe Guptill will be dropped as well. I suspect McIntosh will be retained.

God knows who will be our number three. Broom will probably play at five in place of Ryder (where he's most suited and FC cricket is his best form of the game by far). Franklin or Vettori at six.

The only confirmed top order position is Taylor at four. That is rather sad considering we do have some decent players around as well that are probably capable of the step up. Unfortunately the best one is 19.

 

[African Monkey]

Yeah. It will be interesting. I doubt Flynn will hold his place for the Bangladesh test, maybe Guptill will be dropped as well. I suspect McIntosh will be retained.

I can't see anyone getting dropped for the Bangladesh test tbh after everyone apart from Fulton was retained for the last test against Pakistan.

 

[bryce]

I can't see anyone getting dropped for the Bangladesh test tbh after everyone apart from Fulton was retained for the last test against Pakistan.

With the exception of Flynn i'd agree with this, and obviously someone has to come in for O'Brien

 

[African Monkey]

With the exception of Flynn i'd agree with this, and obviously someone has to come in for O'Brien

I would like to see Guptill out of the test team as well. He hasn't done anything in FC cricket to warrant a place in the side. I wouldn't mind seeing Ingram given a go in the tests whether he's opening or batting at 3. At least he'll look to get the scoring ticking along.

 

[Nate]

Wouldn't mind either McKay or Harris, however Harris would have a bit more to prove.

@ Casson - I really like Cutting.

 

[Andre]

Wouldn't suprise me to see Pete George get picked to be honest.

Reckon McKay and one of Harris/George will tour plus possibly Ronald McDonald.

 

[pasag]

Wouldn't suprise me to see Pete George get picked to be honest.

Reckon McKay and one of Harris/George will tour plus possibly Ronald McDonald.

I really like George, but I can't see him playing internationals before 25.

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah, I don't think George is anywhere close to the team, but then again, I didn't expect ****ley to get a call up in India.

I don't agree with MrCasson, I've seen Cutting bowl some testing bowls at the Gabba and he is taking wickets. Having said that C.McKay has to be in front on B.Cutting.