*Official* - Pakistan in New Zealand 2010/2011

[Flem274*]

The best number three bats at three, and that is either Sinclair or Williamson. That's my first instinct, but I do realise giving Williamson some time at six could be beneficial.

Wonder what he wants to do? If he wants to move up the order, I don't see why NZ should say no. If he gets a century against Pakistan then he's away laughing, and we can incorporate another player (and we have a few 5/6s around who show promise) in the line up.

The only thing I have against it is that player is likely to be Brownlie if it's not Franklin, and watching Brownlie, I'm not sure he is ready yet or if he is better than someone like Franklin, Broom, Woodcock, or Guptill (never seen Wells play). Guess I'll trust Wright's judgement and wait and see on the bloke.

Disagree with Howsie on Guptill v Franklin. In the long format I trust Franklin more. In limited overs though it's gotta be Guptill.

 

[Athlai]

I just looked up Williamson's FC career and those Tests were the first time he ever batted at number 6

Williamson @ 3 (and one game where a nightwatchman was used) 12 innings 1 NO 2 100s 1 50
573 @ 52.09
Williamson @ 4 4 innings 0 NO 1 100 1 50
210 @ 52.5
Williamson @ 5 17 innings 1 NO 1 100 4 50s
645 @ 40.31
Williamson @ 6 (A.k.a Tests) 5 innings 0 NO 1 100 1 50
212 @ 42.40

 

[Black_Warrior]

235/8 in a side game...
This is beyond pathetic... just when I think my team cannot be any more pathetic..they go and prove me wrong

 

[Howsie]

Darren Bravo didn't get hidden down the order.

I don't know if I'd call batting a 20 year old with 20 first class games under his belt at six hiding him down the order, especially when that number six position is vacant to begin with anyway.

 

[Xuhaib]

235/8 in a side game...
This is beyond pathetic... just when I think my team cannot be any more pathetic..they go and prove me wrong

aleast one consolation they were facing a test standard attack and barring MCcullam it seems no one has enjoyed the conditions.

 

[Mike5181]

235/8 in a side game...
This is beyond pathetic... just when I think my team cannot be any more pathetic..they go and prove me wrong

And to be fair they were facing 5 bowlers not 4 as it was a 12 a side game with an extra bowler.

 

[Mike5181]

aleast one consolation they were facing a test standard attack and barring MCcullam it seems no one has enjoyed the conditions.

I think this is like the second half of McCullum's career where we see him really start to churn out the runs. Might even put a little bit of respectability into the NZ test side along with Taylor, Ryder and Williamson.

 

[Prince EWS]

I don't know if I'd call batting a 20 year old with 20 first class games under his belt at six hiding him down the order.

Whether or not it's a good idea (and I'm not saying it isn't), batting a natural #3 at #6 because he's inexperienced is definitely what I'd call hiding someone down the order.

On the original topic, I think Franklin should play anyway - whether you change the order not. Franklin's not a Test number three but I have a lot more faith in him to adapt to it quickly than Guptill at the moment, and he's by far the more proven batsman of the two domestically. Guptill's a very talented batsman and I think he has it in him to have a decent Test career in the future, but for all the treading on eggshells around Williamson and the grave fears about ruining him by batting him in his natural position, no-one seems the least bit fussed that Guptill's will be ruined by playing well and truly before he's deserved the opportunity. While it's true that the difference between Guptill's domestic and international performances is going to be a lot less than most, and while it's true that he has more natural talent and a better technical base than most. picking someone who averages 26 for Auckland because he looks good and scores runs in one day cricket is a terrible idea.

 

[Howsie]

Gee, while we're at it why don't we wheel a trolley out to open with Brendon McCullum. Sure, it's not an opening batsmen but I'd have a lot more faith in it's ability to frustrate the oppositions bowling attack then I do McIntosh and it wouldn't throw it's wicket away with a poor shot either.

 

[Zinzan]

235/8 in a side game...
This is beyond pathetic... just when I think my team cannot be any more pathetic..they go and prove me wrong

I read very little into these warm-up games, wait until it actually matters & they'll probably destroy us & get McCullum out cheaply

 

[M0rphin3]

Yeah, Infact this is in a way good news for Pakistan, the middle order made no significant contribution at all.

 

[smash84]

I read very little into these warm-up games, wait until it actually matters & they'll probably destroy us & get McCullum out cheaply

This bowling attack is as toothless as it gets in a test match.

 

[TT Boy]

Why the **** this isn't a 3 match test series considering NZ are playing their de facto test squad here is beyond me. Such a strange tour/itinerary.

 

[smash84]

Why the **** this isn't a 3 match test series considering NZ are playing their de facto test squad here is beyond me. Such a strange tour/itinerary.

Yeah and there are 6 ODIs WTF

 

[Prince EWS]

Why the **** this isn't a 3 match test series considering NZ are playing their de facto test squad here is beyond me. Such a strange tour/itinerary.

Yeah, they might as well have just made this a Test.

 

[Xuhaib]

Reckon Pakistan will loose this series most of Pakistan overseas wins are led by the bowlers with batsman just playing the support cast this time the bowling is even weaker then the already mediocre batting.

 

[DingDong]

Yeah and there are 6 ODIs WTF

agreed. they should have scrapped a couple of odis and played a few more t20s. who watches odis these days?

 

[Prince EWS]

Reckon Pakistan will loose this series most of Pakistan overseas wins are led by the bowlers with batsman just playing the support cast this time the bowling is even weaker then the already mediocre batting.

Haha yeah you could almost argue that Pakistan's strength is in their batting at the moment, and when you look at their batting lineup you realise just what a sad indication that is.

 

[smash84]

Haha yeah you could almost argue that Pakistan's strength is in their batting at the moment, and when you look at their batting lineup you realise just what a sad indication that is.

lol....so true.

 

[marc71178]

And to be fair they were facing 5 bowlers not 4 as it was a 12 a side game with an extra bowler.

Surely that can be countered by the extra players allowing them to play an extra batsman at the expense of a rabbit.