New Zealand 30 man World Cup Squad.

[straw man]

Lol, just realised that bizarre experiment of batting Tuffey at 8 in ODIs was probably the deciding factor in his non-selection. All speculation, but I think they knew Tuffey was falling behind the pace in his bowling so that was his chance to create a new spot for himself in the team (as Oram backup perhaps) and he failed.

 

[Bahnz]

Surprised Williamson made the squad tbh. Don't think he's got enough experience to be an effective ODI batsmen yet. Ah well.

Also interesting that Bennett was selected. Hasn't had enough cricket imo. Woodcock is interesting. I imagine he's in as cover for Vettori/McCullum in case one of them is injured.

From the 15:

Guptill
Ryder
Taylor
Styris
Franklin
Oram
BcCullum (in a floating roll depending on when the power play is to be taken)
Vettori
NcCullum
Mills
Bennett

Don't fancy their chances tbh.

 

[Athlai]

Guptill
Ryder
Taylor
Styris
Franklin
McCullum
Woodcock
Vettori
NcCullum
Mills
Southee

Needs more death bowling.

 

[thierry henry]

The selection of Woodcock is an insult tbh. After 4 years of trying to find the right squad they pick a guy who hasn't played- ridiculous.

You really have to feel for Elliot, 2 solid years in the side and now he's out of the squad??

imo both Woodcock and Bennett's selections smack of "you haven't had a chance to fail like the other guys we've tried, so you're in". That is just **** selecting.

Despite that rant the first 11 is pretty set and I doubt those fringe selections will make much difference either way.

 

[_Ed_]

Needs more death bowling.

Yep.

They should have learnt by now that Mills is best when he bowls his full 10 before the 35 over mark or so.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

NZ selectors in not picking guys with best domestic stats shocker. Problem is that the guys who perform consistently at that level often turn out to be 125kph crap, so the selectors aren't as far off the mark as it seems IMO. Having said that, they wouldn't do the same with batsmen. Firmly on the fence on this matter.

 

[marc71178]

But that's not a lot of use if McCullum injures himself the morning of an important game.

Apart from the costs, is there anything to stop the standbys being out with the squad? Keep them involved in training and the like and acclimatised to the conditions?

 

[Mike5181]

Surprised Williamson made the squad tbh. Don't think he's got enough experience to be an effective ODI batsmen yet. Ah well.

Also interesting that Bennett was selected. Hasn't had enough cricket imo. Woodcock is interesting. I imagine he's in as cover for Vettori/McCullum in case one of them is injured.

From the 15:

Guptill
Ryder
Taylor
Styris
Franklin
Oram
BcCullum (in a floating roll depending on when the power play is to be taken)
Vettori
NcCullum
Mills
Bennett

Don't fancy their chances tbh.

1. Martin Guptill
2. Brendon McCullum +
3. Jesse Ryder
4. Scott Styris
5. Ross Taylor
6. James Franklin
7. Jacob Oram
8. Daniel Vettori (c)
9. Nathan McCullum
10. Kyle Mills
11. Tim Southee

Personally, this is a decent line up. We are missing one real strike bowler like a Bond/Lee/Steyn but on its day we could compete with most teams.

 

[Chewie]

Some of the Cricinfo comments are rather ridiculous.

One person thinks Oram is absolutely rubbish.
One person thinks there isn't a lot of bowling options
One person reckons Bennett is better than Southee
One person reckons Watling should be there as backup keeper instead of How
One person thinks one of the Marshall brothers and Peter Fulton should be there
One person (I think sarcastically) thinks Hopkins should be there
Another thinks Butler, Broom, Stewart and Redmond should be there...because Redmond can keep :/ His lineup has Redmond down at 8 as keeper, and Broom/Stewart at 3
One person thinks that B McCullum is our only good ODI player

Quite amusing reading

 

[Somerset]

Some of the Cricinfo comments are rather ridiculous.

One person thinks Oram is absolutely rubbish.
One person thinks there isn't a lot of bowling options
One person reckons Bennett is better than Southee
One person reckons Watling should be there as backup keeper instead of How
One person thinks one of the Marshall brothers and Peter Fulton should be there
One person (I think sarcastically) thinks Hopkins should be there
Another thinks Butler, Broom, Stewart and Redmond should be there...because Redmond can keep :/ His lineup has Redmond down at 8 as keeper, and Broom/Stewart at 3
One person thinks that B McCullum is our only good ODI player

Quite amusing reading

What are the odds that the person who wanted Butler, Broom, Stewart and Redmond in the squad is from Otago?

I actually would prefer to see Watling over How - I see no logic in selecting a player with no wicket-keeping experience and suddenly basing his inclusion on having the ability to be the reserve wicket-keeper. At least if Watling was chosen we'd have some confidence in his wicket-keeping ability. Thats not to say I think Watling deserves to be in the 15 man squad, I just think hes more deserving of the 15th spot than How - McGlashan would've been my first choice pick.

 

[Prince EWS]

Not that I would have picked Watling but if given the choice between him and How as a backup wicket keeper I'd take him every time.

 

[Somerset]

Apart from the costs, is there anything to stop the standbys being out with the squad? Keep them involved in training and the like and acclimatised to the conditions?

Funny you should mention that. Its worth pointing out that on CGW tonight Mark Richardson (perhaps tongue in cheek) suggested New Zealand employ McGlashan in some sort of makeshift kit/innovation manager of the side (obviously based on his unique wicket-keeper masks) and have him travel to the WC to be with the squad. Wouldn't be completely against it TBH...

 

[BeeGee]

1. Martin Guptill
2. Brendon McCullum +
3. Jesse Ryder
4. Scott Styris
5. Ross Taylor
6. James Franklin
7. Jacob Oram
8. Daniel Vettori (c)
9. Nathan McCullum
10. Kyle Mills
11. Tim Southee

Personally, this is a decent line up. We are missing one real strike bowler like a Bond/Lee/Steyn but on its day we could compete with most teams.

Looks like a great lineup to me. Batting all the way down (with a couple of handy sloggers at 10 and 11). 7 bowling options (8 if Ryder can bowl). McCullum keeping and the large number of all rounders really gives us a great balance.

As others have said, the selection of How as backup keeper is ludicrous. It makes you wonder what goes on in the selectors heads: "Let's pick an out of form batsman with almost no wicket keeping experience as our backup keeper, an un-capped and un-proven spinner, and a seam bowler who's only played 2 ODIs and has an average domestic record." Genius. Pay rises all round.
Let's hope the starting 11 can go through the whole WC injury free.

 

[Prince EWS]

Looks like a great lineup to me. Batting all the way down (with a couple of handy sloggers at 10 and 11). 7 bowling options (8 if Ryder can bowl). McCullum keeping and the large number of all rounders really gives us a great balance.

As others have said, the selection of How as backup keeper is ludicrous. It makes you wonder what goes on in the selectors heads: "Let's pick an out of form batsman with almost no wicket keeping experience as our backup keeper, an un-capped and un-proven spinner, and a seam bowler who's only played 2 ODIs and has an average domestic record." Genius. Pay rises all round.
Let's hope the starting 11 can go through the whole WC injury free.

Lets hope that starting eleven is actually the selectors' starting eleven, first of all.

 

[straw man]

I will be interested to see how Oram goes with the bat in the Pak series. His batting has been extremely poor for years now and if he hasn't picked it up I'd bat him as low as 9 or even 10, considering the other good options we have available.

On the other hand if he scores some runs it would be nice to see him slot back into his favourite spots at 6 or 7, which gives him the time we know he needs to build an innings, rather than just slog.

 

[Howsie]

The selection of Bennett is absolutely disgraceful and it amazes me that so few of you have bothered to mention it. Bennett's career 50-over stats are TERRIBLE. Once again, it appears the selectors have actually trawled the country intent on picking the player least equipped to do the job. It boggles the mind.

Ah come on, they're not that bad. A half decent series against Pakistan or a continuation of his good work so far for Canterbury this season and his career average will be sitting under 30.

 

[Flem274*]

Haha yeah, I was thinking when I saw his match figures first game back (3/27) that his ODI stint could kick start him in List A, because I don't think he's ever been economical before. Either took wickets and got smashed or just got smashed.

 

[thierry henry]

Ah come on, they're not that bad.

Yes they are.

His economy rate would be close to if not the worst in the history of NZ List A cricket, certainly for a specialist bowler.

 

[Flem274*]

Yes they are.

His economy rate would be close to if not the worst in the history of NZ List A cricket, certainly for a specialist bowler.

Never underestimate New Zealand's ability to find someone more terrible than the current benchmark.

Oh, and you're needed in the Vettori thread. No Vettori thread is complete without a TH rant.

 

[Days of Grace]

Have a feeling that Bennett is going to show up a lot of the haters in this Pakistan series.