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

[Flem274*]

I'm not going to try and predict Narine's returns, but mystery spinners often struggle once their mysteries become common knowledge and Seddon Park won't turn like it does in the West Indies. On the other hand he might have a mental edge over the New Zealand batsmen which would immediately render the worked out mystery and lack of turn irrelevant if he can snare a couple of quick wickets and put the cat among the pidgeons.

 

[straw man]

Hmmm, not sure that I'd be at all comfortable with Neesham batting at 6 in test cricket, even if his all round numbers this season (averaging 56 with the bat and 21 with the ball) are pretty sensational. Watling would have to move up and bat at 6 imo.

Yes Congrats to Jimmy on a call-up, however I really hope Anderson is fit as Neesham shouldn't be batting at six at this point. It's a fairly interesting selection in that they're willing to weaken the batting going in to the final match of a series in which we are one up - I guess it means they're very confident, however I would have preferred just a pure batsman (Brownlie/Latham) for this one-off.

 

[straw man]

with Anderson injured we should have just called up Stokes ftr

 

[ohnoitsyou]

Narine actually puts a lot on the ball despite not really looking like he will; he certainly gets enough turn when the pitch is at all receptive to it. His main problem is the fact that he doesn't put any body into his bowling at all - he basically just wanders up and delivers it chest on - which means he doesn't get any drift or drop; he's never really going to beat a good batsman in the air.

Thankyou, i stand corrected.

 

[Zinzan]

Hmmm, not sure that I'd be at all comfortable with Neesham batting at 6 in test cricket, even if his all round numbers this season (averaging 56 with the bat and 21 with the ball) are pretty sensational. Watling would have to move up and bat at 6 imo.

Without doubt.

 

[Smudge]

Glenn Turner should donate the vertebrae of his first born son to Ian Butler IMO. It's the right thing to do for cricket in New Zealand.

I don't think Shaan would appreciate that, tbh.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

with Anderson injured we should have just called up Stokes ftr

Time for a bit of Stokes on Trent action, you reckon?

 

[straw man]

****ing hell, that's terrible

 

[vandem]

Yeah, Watling's capable of batting 6 anyway. It's a good selection imo. I'm glad they haven't gone for someone like Ellis.

... or Franklin ...

 

[Hurricane]

Neesham's not good enough to be a test match number 7. I don't see him averaging more than 25 tops. Would be a solid number 8.

 

[Flem274*]

He's not ready yet and runs the risk of coming across as bits and pieces if he gets thrown in too early, but he's talented and with a bit of refinement he can be a decent batting option. He's only 22-23 so he has plenty of time to develop and it's a bit early to write him off as just a good number 8. He's already the most valuable limited overs cricketer on the domestic circuit.

 

[Zinzan]

Neesham's not good enough to be a test match number 7. I don't see him averaging more than 25 tops. Would be a solid number 8.

Honestly haven't seen enough of him to comment, but from what I've heard he has oodles of natural ability with the bat.

 

[Mike5181]

Neesham:
2010/11: 138 runs @ 19.71 | 12 wickets @ 27.75
2012/13: 401 runs @ 40.10 | 20 wickets @ 33.90
2013/14: 167 runs @ 55.66 | 11 wickets @ 21.00

 

[Flem274*]

Honestly haven't seen enough of him to comment, but from what I've heard he has oodles of natural ability with the bat.

you can watch some highlights of his most recent game on this scorecard

OTAGO VOLTS vs WELLINGTON FIREBIRDS

Raw, but can play.

 

[hendrix]

Nah I think Neesham would make a decent enough number 7 right now. He's not far below Anderson with the bat, and they're both number 7s at the moment. Anderson above average number 7, Neesham about test average 7 (e.g. Brad Haddin would be good, Denesh Ramdin would be bad).

The fact that Watling is currently a very good batsman doesn't quite make up for either them not quite being ready to bat 6, but it's fine for now.

 

[Hurricane]

Honestly haven't seen enough of him to comment, but from what I've heard he has oodles of natural ability with the bat.

I guess he does have a 42* at international level but his other innings were:

0,5,13,0,8,5*

I realise he is gunning it this year but I thought we invoked a Colin Munro rule about high averages from number 7 in the order? Look in part I am just stirring it up, and part of me respects his domestic performances - I am just influenced from watching some of his ODI dismissals and his lack of fluency at times. While he is definitely not ungainly he lacks gracefulness compared to Anderson and Flynn. sucks btw that Plunket Promise is down as I can't prove my point with a video.

 

[hendrix]

nah if you want to look at his ODI numbers then you have to get down to specifics and scenarios in which his dismissals arose.

First class is generally a better indication of test ability than ODI numbers, especially now that the Plunkett Shield is relatively strong.

 

[Hurricane]

Test Match Number 7s
Australia Haddin >Neesham
West Indies Ramdin = Neesham (right now)
Sri Lanka chandimal > Neesham
NZ watling > Neesham
England Prior when in form > Neesham
SA Du Plessis (in the last test) >Neesham
Pakistan Adnan Akmal = Neesham
Bangers Hossain ? Neesham don't know enough about Hossain
Zimbos N/A
India Dhoni >Neesham

Most of the test match number 7s would be better than him if he goes on to avg 25 which I suspect he will. Daniel Flynn only averaged 26 and he is a better player.

 

[Flem274*]

Caners are you commenting on Neesham as he is right now or predicting his entire career? If you're talking right now, then I agree he isn't going to set the world alight and I think most here would see it your way, but predicting how the career of a 23 year old allrounder who only started developing his batting just prior to his under 19 career is a risky business.

Comparing him to Flynn is a bit odd. Flynn is a defensive top order batsman who can't drive. Neesham is a middle to lower order allrounder who Kippax described best as an "attack watchman". They are poles apart as batsmen in method and what they're trying to be. Neesham's flaws are easier (but not easy) to correct as well. He already has all the shots and just needs to tighten up his defense. Flynn's open stance and movements prevent him from being able to drive on the front foot with any safety, much like Usman Khawaja and Kirk Edwards. Flynn and Khawaja have both chosen to put the drives away, so you can bowl full on the offside to both and they can't hurt you. Edwards can but it's a big risk for him. To correct this Flynn would have to bat more side on which I think (without being an expert) would require a longer bedding in period than Neesham's corrects imo.

 

[RxGM]

I wonder how close Boam would have been to selection if he hadn't taken the year off. Was definitely a better bat than Neesham but had stagnated at Wellington while for Neesham the best thing he ever did for his career was to get out of Auckland.

I think McHesson have decided that to take 20 wickets in NZ they need 5 bowlers, of the seam bowling allrounders going around, Ellis, Wells, Neesham, Munro, CdG, Stewart, Franklin. Neesham has the superior potential as a bowler to compliment the Southee-Boult attack, as a FC batsman he is probably the worse of the lot with his runs this year coming after the 40 over mark at a run a ball, and he is really only equipped at the moment for LO cricket but he may develop.