*Official* Australia in New Zealand

[Athlai]

Weird. I actually agree with you.

Universe to implode.

 

[Days of Grace]

I don't give a **** about his batting as long as he becomes a better bowler. He can learn to bat properly in his mid-20s. We don't win matches with runs from the 9-10-11, we win by those players taking wickets.

Agreed, but my point is that even though we can't expect them to make much runs, we can at least expect them to hang around a bit (except Martin) and force the bowlers to get them out.

 

[freckleslol]

From Cricinfo:

New Zealand's line-up is not quite so settled ... Franklin appears unlikely to play with Jeetan Patel almost certain to replace in the injured Daryl Tuffey, according to Vettori ... Williamson needs the pitch to dry out to have any chance of forcing his way in at No. 6.

Timmy batting eight is just a scary thought. As is Martin at 11

 

[slugger]

I cant believe martin crowe is behind sinclair being in the team ... I thought these two didnt see eye to eye.. man its scary..

 

[Halfpast_Yellow]

Looks like Vettori is actually serious in going in with himself at 6, Macca at 7, and a tail of Patel-Southee-Arnel-Martin.

Absolutely ridiculous, I hope Turner talks some bloody sense into him or McCullum going to 8.

Vettori hints no room for Williamson | Stuff.co.nz

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

How is Martin getting another crack? He's been rank all summer. He's just not good enough any more. Over the hill, useless in the field and with the bat. Time to hang up the boots, old bean.

 

[Polo23]

How is Martin getting another crack? He's been rank all summer. He's just not good enough any more. Over the hill, useless in the field and with the bat. Time to hang up the boots, old bean.

Who else is going to play? Graeme Aldridge?

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Who else is going to play? Graeme Aldridge?

Given the form Martin's been in, Aldridge wouldn't be any worse. At least he could hold up an end for an over or two. I'm just fed up of set batsmen seeing Martin come to the crease and hitting the panic button. Martin might get a lot of not outs, but that's because the batsman at the other end knows he's only got an over or two to play with at best and holes out. It infuriates me, but I can get over that if he's contributing with his main discipline and taking wickets. He's not contributing enough any more and a Graham Aldridge or Bradley Scott could provide an equal standard of bowling, but with considerably better batting & fielding prowess.

 

[Bahnz]

Given the form Martin's been in, Aldridge wouldn't be any worse. At least he could hold up an end for an over or two. I'm just fed up of set batsmen seeing Martin come to the crease and hitting the panic button. Martin might get a lot of not outs, but that's because the batsman at the other end knows he's only got an over or two to play with at best and holes out. It infuriates me, but I can get over that if he's contributing with his main discipline and taking wickets. He's not contributing enough any more and a Graham Aldridge or Bradley Scott could provide an equal standard of bowling, but with considerably better batting & fielding prowess.

While Martin's performances in the last two tests hasn't been stellar, he still picked up respectable figures from the Pakistan series (11 wickets at 31, with a similar average and strike rate to O'Brien), and I felt he was genuinely unlucky not to pick up a couple more wickets at Wellington. Aldridge is just bilge. Right arm medium who'll provide absolutely nothing. And Scott's been rubbish for a couple of years now. If you're looking for a new seamer, basically the only one in the country who isn't injured and who has respectable enough figures would be Michael Bates.

And to be perfectly honest, dropping Martin because he's a **** batsman has always been a stupid argument. Who cares if he averages 5 less than most other number 11's around, and lasts about 10 fewer balls on average. I've never seen a match where it has actually affected the final result, and probably only one occasion where he possibly cost his partner a century (Tuffey earlier this season).

 

[Athlai]

Vettori should stay at 6 IMO, he has been great there. Jeets has improved his batting but a Test number 8? No way. At least he'll show more heart at the crease than we've seen from the likes of Southee. Heart doesn't equate to runs though unfortunately.

 

[Nate]

C'mon Matty!

 

[Howsie]

Bah, can't believe Williamson isn't playing. Why in the world Jeetan Patel's getting a game I'll never know. He hasn't performed in test cricket his entire career and the pitch isn't going to assist spin bowling, it just makes no sense. New Zealand's best bet would of been too go with Williamson at six, Vettori at seven and McCullum at eight. Harsh on McCullum I know, but he's a decent bat with the tail anyway.

 

[Prince EWS]

I cant believe martin crowe is behind sinclair being in the team ... I thought these two didnt see eye to eye.. man its scary..

Haha yeah indeed, I was surprised by that too. I won't be blown away unless Ian Smith says it's a good idea though..

 

[Prince EWS]

Anyway, betfair has spoken.

To score a hundred in the first innings:

Sinclar 3.20
Ingram 8.00

Bet gets refunded if the bloke you back doesn't play too so that's not being taken into account.

 

[Jono]

I might just lay Sinclair there.

 

[Prince EWS]

I might just lay Sinclair there.

There's no lay market open for it yet.

 

[Polo23]

With this bowling attack, I predict Australia to score as many runs as Ponting wants before declaring. Much like Wellington

 

[Sir Alex]

Skippy aye aye aye

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

While Martin's performances in the last two tests hasn't been stellar, he still picked up respectable figures from the Pakistan series (11 wickets at 31, with a similar average and strike rate to O'Brien), and I felt he was genuinely unlucky not to pick up a couple more wickets at Wellington. Aldridge is just bilge. Right arm medium who'll provide absolutely nothing. And Scott's been rubbish for a couple of years now. If you're looking for a new seamer, basically the only one in the country who isn't injured and who has respectable enough figures would be Michael Bates.

Stats are one thing, but bowled like bilge - a very evocative word that you've used that I'm all too willing to recycle - throughout that Pakistan series.

As I said, I was happy to have a non-batsman at #11 when he was adding something with the ball, but I just don't see it any more.

I'm not quite desperate enough to want Jeets in ahead of Martin. Shame Hiini's not been in good form this year

 

[Hurricane]

If Patel is at 8. This will be a very weak nz batting line up. Part of me hopes we get rolled for 150 runs again to teach the selectors a lesson. Pick an all rounder at 8 already. Franklin would be ok.

I find the Williamson situation bemusing. First of all they changed their stance on him and included him in the test team after saying it wasn't his time. Now they are changing their mind again because he isn't suitable for the wicket.

"I've played here enough times to realise (the pitch) is probably going to have a bit in it early on but it's not going to be anything too terrible. It'll be a tough first session but it'll get lower and slower as the game goes on," Vettori said"I think we'll go in with Jeetan. We'll refine the squad down to having Kane in the mix of 12 but in the end it's looking like going in with the five bowlers and me still batting at six."

Is Vettori saying it will be hard to take wickets on this pitch? And that he needs an extra bowler as a result. I am puzzled by this quote.

Should our selectors be following a horses for courses policy based on the pitch?

IMHO We already have one spinner in the team. So even if it does take spin then we have Vettori to take advantage of that.
I think Patel should either be permanently in the team or permanently out of it. When we pick him on SL wickets which are expected to turn. I don't see him running through the team in a devastating fashion.

I think picking Patel for the odd game here and there is just an example of being generous to a fringe player who is on the cusp of the team every time it is selected.

I am peeved with his selection in this game given that he will be batting at number 8.