***Official*** West Indies in New Zealand 2013/14

[straw man]

Black Caps ready for green University Oval deck - Cricket News | TVNZ

Meanwhile, Tamati said he was pleased with pitch preparation and testing had shown the wicket, one across from the duller pitch used for draws against South Africa and England in the last two summers, was harder too.

That is very positive news. Weather forecast is excellent too.

Pleased we're sticking with a spinner in Sodhi, given the 4th seamer options are uninspiring and I'm unsure if Redmond's part time spin is up to anything these days.

 

[Mike5181]

**** that's disappointing.

 

[Bahnz]

I'm not sure a green top is necessarily best for us in this series. The decks we had against England last summer may have taken a lot of criticism, but in truth they did do a fantastic job of hiding our weaknesses (batting) at no expense to our strength (swing bowling). I reckon a similar set of pitches produced against the less disciplined WI batting lineup would probably guarantee a pretty comfortable series win.

 

[Flem274*]

The Redmond selection was an intelligent one. They needed a batsman to fill in for one test, so ideally they would be experienced and in form. Redmond fits the bill perfectly. His career is turning out a bit like Cumming's did - mediocre for many years, called up because there was no one else, failed and was sent back to domestic cricket where he faded away and then fought back to achieve new heights in the twilight years of his career. Cumming never had another chance during his last and best run of form to show what he could do, but Redmond does. If we can get some starts or even a hundred from him then he has done his job, and still has a chance to become a fixture for a season or two if Fulton or Rutherford flop.

 

[Flem274*]

I don't know too much about the West Indies C bowlers, but by what the WI posters have said these blokes haven't shown much in the way of swing bowling yet and are more in the mold of the archetypical wayward young fast bowler. Seaming green pitches would provide them a chance we don't need to give them, since balanced pitches which don't turn (can't let Shillingford come to the rescue if we can help it) won't negate swing bowling but will ensure any wayward bowling is punished without being too friendly to the likes of Samuels and Chanderpaul.

 

[straw man]

I'm not sure a green top is necessarily best for us in this series. The decks we had against England last summer may have taken a lot of criticism, but in truth they did do a fantastic job of hiding our weaknesses (batting) at no expense to our strength (swing bowling). I reckon a similar set of pitches produced against the less disciplined WI batting lineup would probably guarantee a pretty comfortable series win.

Is it too much to ask for decks where par score is 300-350?

I'm just pleased it sounds like Dunedin won't be s l o o o w this time. Certainly don't want a return to the days when Dunedin was a wet green seamer where 180-200 was par either.

I'm not a huge fan of Redmond's return either, but seeing as the match is being played at Dunedin, this is probably the best ever time for him to make a return. With Williamson probably only a week away from his return, it could be trouble for Fulton if he fails and Redmond makes runs

The Redmond selection was an intelligent one. They needed a batsman to fill in for one test, so ideally they would be experienced and in form. Redmond fits the bill perfectly.

I guess so. At the very least it's not too hard to say thanksverymuch and leave him out again when Williamson returns. Still I just have this feeling that I'd be a lot more comfortable with Redmond walking out to open rather than at 3 - probably ties into my general mindset that our openers have little use beyond sacrificial lambs anyway .

 

[jcas0167]

I wonder how Redmond would have gone if he'd been kept on after that 83 in his last test at Adelaide when he played his natural game? The next series was against the Windies, McIntosh got a hundred and Flynn got 95, Redmond might have flourished

 

[hendrix]

re: McCullum. I always thought he should've been made the captain initially ahead of Taylor, but from what I remember then the rationale was that Taylor was the more assured of selection at that point so they chose him.

Which is rather strange since McCullum wasn't even close to not being one of the top 6 batsmen back then but now there is legitimate concern.

If you look at the way McCullum has been playing, it does look as though he's hampered by his back to a degree. His foot movement is nowhere near what it used to be.

 

[BeeGee]

Glad to see the Black Caps' staff are reading my posts.

Williamson Scratched from First Test | Stuff.co.nz

Nah, they're reading my posts:

I wouldn't mind seeing Redmond given the 3 spot as an injury replacement, tbh.

 

[RxGM]

re: McCullum. I always thought he should've been made the captain initially ahead of Taylor, but from what I remember then the rationale was that Taylor was the more assured of selection at that point so they chose him.

Which is rather strange since McCullum wasn't even close to not being one of the top 6 batsmen back then but now there is legitimate concern.

If you look at the way McCullum has been playing, it does look as though he's hampered by his back to a degree. His foot movement is nowhere near what it used to be.

I don't like McCullum but I would rather he stayed test captain till the world cup even if he only averages 25, than Williamson be given the captaincy early.
Ideal option would be for Fulton to captain, but I don't see that happening.

 

[Bahnz]

Chance to shine for Williamson and Bravo | Cricket News | New Zealand v West Indies | ESPN Cricinfo

I was a bit shocked by how average Taylor's record is over the last 3 years. I know it's partly down to New Zealand having some stiff opposition, and also partly due to the captaincy shemozzle, but an average of 36 is a big underachievement for such a talented player, especially given that he's really been in his prime.

 

[straw man]

Yes I was surprised too. I had a look at the numbers and the reasons are:

- the removal of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh; with these included he averages 42
- failing to capitalise on home flat pitches against England earlier in the year (94 runs at 23)
- that he was poor with the bat in the three series against India, Pakistan and Australia from Nov 2010 to end of 2011 (356 runs at 27).

 

[Zinzan]

Have to laugh at the brains-trust which is NZ cricket. Seriously, great way to treat the fans. Not only are they dumb enough to start the test on a Tuesday - so fans who work regular hours only get to watch on one weekend day (if it gets to a 5th day) - but considering they're playing in Dunedin (which stays light until around 10pm) you'd think they'd at least consider starting at 12pm. I just don't understand the rationale for the ******** scheduling, if somebody could enlighten me on the logic. I'd appreciate it.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Have to laugh at the brains-trust which is NZ cricket. Seriously, great way to treat the fans. Not only are they dumb enough to start the test on a Tuesday - so fans who work regular hours only get to watch on one weekend day (if it gets to a 5th day) - but considering they're playing in Dunedin (which stays light until around 10pm) you'd think they'd at least consider starting at 12pm. I just don't understand the rationale for the ******** scheduling, if somebody could enlighten me on the logic. I'd appreciate it.

Logic?

 

[Hurricane]

Aaron Redmond is the worst player in the world to come in for a one game gig. If he gets a ton and gets dropped his Dad is going to go ape ****.

 

[WindieWeathers]

I don't know too much about the West Indies C bowlers, but by what the WI posters have said these blokes haven't shown much in the way of swing bowling yet and are more in the mold of the archetypical wayward young fast bowler. Seaming green pitches would provide them a chance we don't need to give them, since balanced pitches which don't turn (can't let Shillingford come to the rescue if we can help it) won't negate swing bowling but will ensure any wayward bowling is punished without being too friendly to the likes of Samuels and Chanderpaul.

The vibe we're getting is the attack will be Sammy, Best, Gabriel/Cotterrell and Shilly or Narine!!...there's been a hint that Shilly might not be in the best frame of mind to start the first test but they will leave it till the last minute!!.. if i had to guess the team it would be..

Edwards
Powell
Darren Bravo
Samuels
Chanderpaul
Deonarine
Ramdin (wk)
Sammy
Narine
Best
Gabriel

Unless it's a proper road and then they might be decide to play two spinners!!....it's gonna be interesting to see how one of the young quicks cope tbh!!!..Gabriel can be hot and cold but the fact is in england he was impressive!!....and he's not just fast and foolish!!!..he can move the ball away from the right-handers and back into them too!!!..

In closing it's a boost for us that Kane ain't playing!!!..both sides missing a few players so it should be interesting.

 

[ohnoitsyou]

have to say i cant ****ing wait for this to start. Been to long since we played a test series that we have a good chance of winning and which won't be embarrassing if we lose.

 

[Kippax]

Have to laugh at the brains-trust which is NZ cricket. Seriously, great way to treat the fans. Not only are they dumb enough to start the test on a Tuesday - so fans who work regular hours only get to watch on one weekend day (if it gets to a 5th day) - but considering they're playing in Dunedin (which stays light until around 10pm) you'd think they'd at least consider starting at 12pm. I just don't understand the rationale for the ******** scheduling, if somebody could enlighten me on the logic. I'd appreciate it.

Well, they've got 21 days to fit in three Tests, haven't they. On Boxing Day, any accountant worth his salt gives the finger to Don Neely or HeathDavisSpeed, and lays on some very accessible white ball action.

 

[harsh.ag]

have to say i cant ****ing wait for this to start. Been to long since we played a test series that we have a good chance of winning and which won't be embarrassing if we lose.

You won't be embarrassed to lose to the Windies?

 

[Flem274*]

They are like 20 million points ahead of us on the rankings.