*Official* - Pakistan in New Zealand 2010/2011

[99*]

Raval You'd have to hope we only play Tests in Auckland.

I wouldn't see a problem with that.

 

[_Ed_]

Haha, indeed. We need a ground first, though...

 

[99*]

Need somebody to buy Avondale racecourse and convert it.

 

[TT Boy]

I think only Gary Kirsten stopped us from beating SA at home in 2004ish - ended up a 1-1 draw IIRC. Seem to remember that as one of our best Test series performances of the decade.

Helped Graeme Smith (who played a blinder) to chase down 234 in the 3rd test. That after South Africa were 3 down for 36. Was Kirsten's last test innings. Smith was having an absolute mare before that test IIRC.

3rd Test: New Zealand v South Africa at Wellington, Mar 26-30, 2004 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[slugger]

Need somebody to buy Avondale racecourse and convert it.

not a bad idea, its quite large mind you.

 

[_Ed_]

Was Kirsten's last test innings.

Ah, that'll be why I remember him so clearly from that match.

Need somebody to buy Avondale racecourse and convert it.

That's a pretty good call. The chances of it or its administrators ever being fit to stage racing again are slim, to say the least.

 

[Smudge]

Would be a good excuse to update those awful facilities too...

 

[Bahnz]

I think only Gary Kirsten stopped us from beating SA at home in 2004ish - ended up a 1-1 draw IIRC. Seem to remember that as one of our best Test series performances of the decade.

Yep. After we hammered them in the second test, the media spent the next week talking excitedly about how great the team was and how, once Bond returned from injury, this would be the greatest New Zealand side of all time. Unfortunately, Bond's injury wound up lasting for another 18 months, and by that time most of the better players were either retired or injured themselves.

 

[Faisal1985]

Pakistan is on a high going in to the test, i just hope they don't go for an all time great collapse. NZ must be charged up to avenge the embarrassing defeat.

Must say Misbah has so far captained well, barring the temporary and natural Pakistani style brain freezes while setting the field...batting order has been good and bowling changes have been also very well done.

 

[Bahnz]

It's interesting that John Wright really does appear to be considering Franklin at number 3. Daft idea if you ask me. Brings back memories of the days when Bracewell made Fulton and Marshall open, basically because there was no one else in the team who could.

 

[lockton2skipper]

brent arnel does not deserve to be dropped for tuffey. if a place can be found for franklin i'm in agreement.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Guptil
McCullum
Williamson
Taylor
Ryder
Franklin
Vettori
Young
Southee
Arnel
Martin

If Franklin is to play, but it won't happen.

 

[Woodster]

Have seen a few people on here promote the idea of Williamson moving up to three, not a move I personally agree with. He has got to be allowed to develop his game in Test cricket in the middle order, so far the signs are good for him but they cannot be too hasty in trying to push him onto the next level in becoming a number three batsman, too soon.

It wouldn't be fair on Williamson. There is Taylor and Ryder in the middle order that are far more experienced than Williamson and should not be shirking the opportunity to bat at three, not that I think they would necessarily. Allow Williamson to gradually work his way into that position by posting some healthy scores down the order first.

Naturally you don't want Williamson left with the tail too frequently, but at this stage of his career that position in the middle order is well suited for him, should Ryder or Taylor move up to three, then he can perhaps come in at five.

 

[BeeGee]

Helped Graeme Smith (who played a blinder) to chase down 234 in the 3rd test. That after South Africa were 3 down for 36. Was Kirsten's last test innings. Smith was having an absolute mare before that test IIRC.

3rd Test: New Zealand v South Africa at Wellington, Mar 26-30, 2004 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

That was the series Martin had a blinder. In two Tests he took 18 wickets, at an average of 16. I remember him bowling Smith first ball of the SA second innings in the second Test.

 

[Mike5181]

Have seen a few people on here promote the idea of Williamson moving up to three, not a move I personally agree with. He has got to be allowed to develop his game in Test cricket in the middle order, so far the signs are good for him but they cannot be too hasty in trying to push him onto the next level in becoming a number three batsman, too soon.

It wouldn't be fair on Williamson. There is Taylor and Ryder in the middle order that are far more experienced than Williamson and should not be shirking the opportunity to bat at three, not that I think they would necessarily. Allow Williamson to gradually work his way into that position by posting some healthy scores down the order first.

Naturally you don't want Williamson left with the tail too frequently, but at this stage of his career that position in the middle order is well suited for him, should Ryder or Taylor move up to three, then he can perhaps come in at five.

Mcintosh's spot should be in trouble with his poor showings so far but i doubt Wright will do that to Martin Guptill. Though he is good against the quicks and poor against spin so maybe it wouldn't be the worse decision and on top of that Mcintosh has been exposing Guptill early on anyway so its not like he doesn't know what playing at this stage of the innings is like.

 

[Flem274*]

Still reckon a season of piling on the hundreds for Auckland would do wonders for Guptill.

But I accept he's unlikely to be given that opportunity, so I hope he gets a good run as an opener rather than in and out, in and out like he's had so far.

Batting Franklin at three isn't a terrible idea since the selectors want to go easy on Williamson. The best number three's in the country are Williamson, Sinclair and Fulton by a reasonable distance, and two of those guys are highly unlikely to play tests again. If Sinclair was piling on the runs this season again I wouldn't mind him, but iirc he isn't so just leave him to finish his career in peace imo.

Is pretty funny though that it would almost be a reverse batting order to where these guys bat in FC if Franklin went in at three.

 

[Flem274*]

Oh, and on the topic of Williamson batting at three...

Would you rather him in at 1/30 or 4/60? Because so far in his short career he's been coming in when things have been dire for NZ. Far less pressure knowing you'll either be in within 80 balls or watching McIntosh bat all day.

When he bats at six and we collapse, he only has Vettori and Young behind him in the order. That's a lot of pressure. At number three he can bat when the **** hasn't hit the fan yet, even if the score is 1/5 or something.

 

[Mike5181]

Oh, and on the topic of Williamson batting at three...

Would you rather him in at 1/30 or 4/60? Because so far in his short career he's been coming in when things have been dire for NZ. Far less pressure knowing you'll either be in within 80 balls or watching McIntosh bat all day.

When he bats at six and we collapse, he only has Vettori and Young behind him in the order. That's a lot of pressure. At number three he can bat when the **** hasn't hit the fan yet, even if the score is 1/5 or something.

I have changed my mind on this subject tbh. I say give him a go at number three and with his class/technique it will only take a few decent scores to get his confidence up and we will have a very good number three. Wright said something about making the tough decisions so this could be where his actions can meet his words. We can't continue to shield players anymore especially when he was selected based on his performances at that position for Northern Districts. We simply don't have the depth. Mcintosh should be gone for the next test and Guptill should replace him.

1. McCullum
2. Guptill
3. Williamson
4. Taylor
5. Ryder
6. Franklin
7. Young +
8. Vettori (c)

 

[Halfpast_Yellow]

Is Guptill really the answer as opener in the test team? Can we not go back to How or some other domestic performer?

The only reason I can think of to push Guptill up the order is because he's useless at playing spin, which isn't really a reason at all.

 

[Bahnz]

Oh, and on the topic of Williamson batting at three...

Would you rather him in at 1/30 or 4/60? Because so far in his short career he's been coming in when things have been dire for NZ. Far less pressure knowing you'll either be in within 80 balls or watching McIntosh bat all day.

When he bats at six and we collapse, he only has Vettori and Young behind him in the order. That's a lot of pressure. At number three he can bat when the **** hasn't hit the fan yet, even if the score is 1/5 or something.

Almost agree with this. With Vettori so miserably out of form, Williamson really is the last barrier at number 6. Not only does he come in under a lot of pressure, but there's also the potential for a batsman of his rather sedate temperament to get stranded (as happened in the 1st innings). Still not sure I'm entirely behind the idea, but I'd rather see him up the top than Franklin. Reckon it's even more likely that we'll see:

McCullum
Guptill
Taylor
Ryder
Williamson
Franklin

That's a top 5 I've been interested in giving a go for a while now, so I'd be interested to see it in action.