***Official*** New Zealand in India 2012

[Kippax]

Black Caps name side to face India
By: Matt Brown | Latest Cricket News | Thursday August 23 2012 5:39

The Black Caps will revert to a traditional attack for the first cricket test against India starting in Hyderabad today.

Left arm seamer Trent Boult replaces Tim Southee while Jeetan Patel is the sole spinner with Tarun Nethula missing out.

Doug Bracewell and Chris Martin are the other frontline bowlers while James Franklin will offer some overs while batting at number six.

Coach Mike Hesson says it's a balanced attack.

"Our four best bowlers at the moment in these conditions, as I said tough to pick. I think we've got an attack who'll hopefully put the Indians under pressure."

Kane Williamson returns to number three pushing Daniel Flynn to five.

The full side is: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Daniel Flynn, James Franklin, Kruger Van Wyk, Doug Bracewell, Jeetan Patel, Trent Boult and Chris Martin.

Martin replaces Southee, not Boult, but anyway.

 

[NasserFan207]

Well Martin has had success against India, so may not be a terrible move. I like Wagner and think he'll do well in the subcontinent btw.

 

[Blain]

Martin comes in for Southee because of his experience and the fact he took a 5 for the last time he played in India. I hope his body can handle the heat!

A Boult, Bracewell, Southee and Patel attack is very unproven, so I see why Marto is there.

Isn't it nice to see Franklin there? An all rounder just adds a nice balance. Is Watling still injurred? He was one of our best in the WI. Van Wyk has hardly cemented a spot IMO. Bring on De Border in the next home series I reckon.

 

[straw man]

I dreamed last night that we bowled India out for 200 on the first day - Martin was in the XI and was the destroyer . Then we were 50/2 at the close.

I'm really undecided on the bowling attack - imo the only two that MUST play are Bracewell and Boult. Pick the others out of a hat.

 

[straw man]

Is Watling still injurred? He was one of our best in the WI. Van Wyk has hardly cemented a spot IMO. Bring on De Border in the next home series I reckon.

I haven't seen confirmation that Van Wyk is retained - have you? I think people need to remember that, although Van Wyk may be average, Young, Watling and De Boorder are all average too. Here, I rated them out of 20:

Watling:
Batting = 6. Keeping = 4. Total = 10

Van Wyk
Batting = 4. Keeping = 6. Total = 10

Young
Batting = 3. Keeping = 7. Total = 10

De Boorder
Batting = 3?. Keeping = 6?. Total = 9?



Edit: But everyones' expectations are for a 15, so we end up cycling through them one by one and finding none measure up - bad idea.

 

[Blain]

Haha good attempt, pretty hard thing to do! De Border averages more with the bat than all of them, is the youngest and has captained Otago (Shows he has a good head on him). He's built like Van Wyk. If he has a strong start to the season, I can see him coming into the mix.

 

[Kippax]

Chris Martin - Reducing India to 5-15 and taking 5-63 - YouTube

Rob has Tuffey's destroyer spell in India I remember, not sure if he has more of that one.

I like Wagner and think he'll do well in the subcontinent btw.

With reverse you mean? Just the fact a combative attitude often receives unwarranted deference from subcontinental players?

 

[Turbinator]

Love this midnight starting time for matches, can watch the entire day's play and not waste my morning/afternoon.

 

[Contra]

Love this midnight starting time for matches, can watch the entire day's play and not waste my morning/afternoon.

Only if your free the following day though

I got a job so I won't be able to watch all of it (I wouldn't have anyways). Will defo try to watch as much as possible if India bat first though.

 

[Turbinator]

Only if your free the following day though

I got a job so I won't be able to watch all of it (I wouldn't have anyways). Will defo try to watch as much as possible if India bat first though.

Haha yeah, I still have about two weeks till my vacation ends. By the way, is CBN or any other channel showing this series?

 

[Contra]

Haha yeah, I still have about two weeks till my vacation ends. By the way, is CBN or any other channel showing this series?

CBN isn't, neither is cricket plus, which actually means I can't watch it on TV lol. I guess if you have dish that's your only option.

 

[ajdude]

Why the **** isn't this match on Fox Sports?

 

[Contra]

Coming down to the actual series, It's gonna be 1-0 to India, Hydrabad is most likely a draw. They say the pitch has changed and be re-laid, but I have my doubts. Really looking forward to seeing Virat and Umesh. I hope Ishant doesn't get picked, and if he does I hope NZ smash him, seriously, Ishant has played far too many test matches now for my liking without worthy results. Umesh / Zak / Ojha / Ashwin is my line up for home tests.

 

[Howsie]

Southee dropped. Don't tell me he hasn't been hard done by.

 

[BackFootPunch]

Southee dropped. Don't tell me he hasn't been hard done by.

He didn't perfrom so well in the last Test as to be undroppable.

 

[Howsie]

He didn't perfrom so well in the last Test as to be undroppable.

He was New Zealand's best bowler, if his teammates could catch and with a little more luck on his side he has four/five wickets.

 

[Cruxdude]

Badri and Ishant in. Not a big surprise considering Raina was in the initial squad itself and Ishant has just returned from injury. Not sure what Raina has done in the time since his last test to convince the selectors.

 

[straw man]

Pretty conservative XI for us with both Martin & Patel there - not gonna complain though as whoever they chose it would have been a close call

Bowling first - I guess that gives us a slightly better chance of some swing

 

[Contra]

Ishant not playing is a positive, but Raina? He's not test match material for mine, but I guess with this many slots now open India can afford to offer chances.

 

[Contra]

wow, this is the first time I've heard people cheer for someone other than Sachin lol.