**Official** New Zealand in South Africa

[sonnench]

Really don't understand all the Elgar hate, in only his third match, he scores an unbeaten century. Yes, he didn't make a fantastic debut, but so have many great batsmen made pairs first game. I thought he played well, and people are seriously saying he can't play the short ball because Mitch owned him at the WACA?? From what I saw, he was more than competent off the back foot, and absolutely creamed Wagner one ball.

Fully expect Elgar to kick on now, and become our future test opener.

 

[Johnners]

Do NZ see Munro as a batsmen, or all-rounder? Just a little confused as to why he came in at 7, below Watling. Had assumed because of his FC record he'd at least be in the top 6.

 

[Prince EWS]

Do NZ see Munro as a batsmen, or all-rounder? Just a little confused as to why he came in at 7, below Watling. Had assumed because of his FC record he'd at least be in the top 6.

I think NZ see Munro as a batsman worse than Watling who can bowl a bit. Certainly how I see him anyway.

 

[Johnners]

Roger roger, his FC batting record is misleading then I take it? (haven't seen him play at all ftr)

 

[jcas0167]

Seriously at this rate, Sinclair won't be a bad option at home.

My retrospective opinion of Sinclair is going up all the time. Bryan Young also

 

[jcas0167]

Watling: can bat. So impressed with him in general ever since he took up the gloves again, and I was pretty sceptical about the whole thing at the time.

How about Watling opening and Ronchi to come in with the gloves?

 

[morgieb]

Would it make sense for him to move to opening and Ronchi to come in with the gloves?

Given Guptill's issues I think it's a decent move. How good is Watling's keeping?

 

[Prince EWS]

Roger roger, his FC batting record is misleading then I take it? (haven't seen him play at all ftr)

Haha, yeah. He bats six for Auckland, and their 3-5 lineup is Reece Young, Colin de Grandhomme and Gareth Hopkins, so Watling batting ahead of him is certainly no shame. He's an aggressive, leg side/back foot dominant player who is very suited to the lower middle order even domestically. Watling is a (much) better batsman in general but also a natural opener who has been converted into a middle order player so he can keep wicket. I would've been annoyed if Munro came out at 6 tbh.

 

[Prince EWS]

How about Watling opening and Ronchi to come in with the gloves?

It would be so harsh on Watling unless that's what he wanted. They've dicked him around a ridiculous amount. I'd sooner make Flynn open and have Watling and Ronchi at 6 and 7.

 

[straw man]

Oh wot, getting rid of Franklin didn't fix our batting?

Had thought of staying up to watch our batting but rather glad I didn't.

 

[straw man]

It would be so harsh on Watling unless that's what he wanted. They've dicked him around a ridiculous amount. I'd sooner make Flynn open and have Watling and Ronchi at 6 and 7.

awta

And Watling looked about as competent as Guptill last time he opened too.

 

[jcas0167]

It would be so harsh on Watling unless that's what he wanted. They've dicked him around a ridiculous amount. I'd sooner make Flynn open and have Watling and Ronchi at 6 and 7.

Flynn does seem more suited to opening with his gritty style. I thought he looked good in that 3rd test against SA at the Basin last season. When Taylor returns either he or Guptill will have to make way (or shift Watling to no7). I think Brownlie has secured a spot with his century in the last game.

 

[morgieb]

Flynn does seem more suited to opening with his gritty style. I thought he looked good in that 3rd test against SA at the Basin last season. When Taylor returns either he or Guptill will have to make way (or shift Watling to no7). I think Brownlie has secured a spot with his century in the last game.

Munro?

 

[ohnoitsyou]

Really don't understand all the Elgar hate, in only his third match, he scores an unbeaten century. Yes, he didn't make a fantastic debut, but so have many great batsmen made pairs first game. I thought he played well, and people are seriously saying he can't play the short ball because Mitch owned him at the WACA?? From what I saw, he was more than competent off the back foot, and absolutely creamed Wagner one ball.
Fully expect Elgar to kick on now, and become our future test opener.

Yep Elgar was fantastic, a century facing mostly the mighty trio of Wagner, Patel and Munro is outstanding stuff, all those edges and misses were beautiful.

 

[jcas0167]

Munro?

I think at this stage Munro seen as an allrounder in the no7 spot & they want Watling at no6. So when Taylor returns Brownlie or Flynn will have to move. Flynn could potentially replace Guptill opening.

Actually, given Brownlie is so good off the backfoot and seems to prefer pace to spin I'm surprised he hasn't been tried in the top 3.

 

[SteveNZ]

How about Watling opening and Ronchi to come in with the gloves?

With the amount of time we spend in the field, having BJ keep and then go out to open the batting would be suicide

 

[Prince EWS]

With the amount of time we spend in the field, having BJ keep and then go out to open the batting would be suicide

Re-read his post.

 

[SteveNZ]

Oops. In my defense I stayed up all night and wept as Manu got a first baller. I'm not in the best mental state.

It's plain as day Gup isn't up to opening and that via his limited overs numbers he has the talent. So Flynny probably is the best fit - bringing in Ronchi isn't a bad idea as we're not getting a tremendous amount out of our fourth seamer anyway, as decently as Manu bowled on day one and two

 

[sonnench]

Yep Elgar was fantastic, a century facing mostly the mighty trio of Wagner, Patel and Munro is outstanding stuff, all those edges and misses were beautiful.

He didn't edge a whole lot, if he had, he would be of been out a lot earlier. It wasn't the greatest bowling up, but he can't help it if we are playing minnows??

Take away Bangladesh and Zim, how many of your batsmen average more than 25 in Tests???

 

[Prince EWS]

Take away Bangladesh and Zim, how many of your batsmen average more than 25 in Tests???

Stop. Warmongering. FFS.

I really don't think you understand how this forum is supposed to work.