1st Semi Final - New Zealand v South Africa (24th March)

[James]

So Milne is out of the semi-final with a side strain

McClenaghan or Mills? I'd personally go for the experience of Mills in a situation like this.

 

[hendrix]

Mills, but he opens.

 

[_Ed_]

Definitely Mills.

 

[Smudge]

Correction - it's a heel injury, not a side strain.

 

[_Ed_]

Apparently Henry's coming into the squad. A Stephen Donald-like situation brewing?

 

[Mixmasterreece]

On the Mitch v Mills debate:


Mitch has a bowling record against South Africa of 27.37 (23.00 in South Africa but 39.00 in NZ)

Mitch has a bowling average of 26.80 against all opposition at Eden Park

Kyle has a bowling record against South Africa of 22.30 (21.80 at away venues and 58.00 in NZ)

Kyle has a bowling average of 44.28 against all opposition at Eden Park

 

[jonbrooks]

This is great. Now Gavin Milne is injured and our other bowlers haven't really had much game time. Can't have McClen back in after his shoddy performance last time. So what do we do? Bring Mills? He hasn't played a game for yonks.

 

[jonbrooks]

Apparently Henry's coming into the squad. A Stephen Donald-like situation brewing?

Ooh, that would be good. Haven't been following him. How's he been at domestic level?

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

should not worry NZ much

 

[Mixmasterreece]

Or off current form, do you go with Matt Henry?

46, 2/70, 4/74 Canterbury v Central D Nelson 17 Mar 2015 FC
2, 3/46, 4/29 Canterbury v Northern D Christchurch 9 Mar 2015 FC
2/85, 39, 0/56 Canterbury v Auckland Auckland 1 Mar 2015 FC
18, 2/92, 48*, 0/6 Canterbury v Auckland Rangiora 16 Feb 2015 FC
1/58, 4, 2/55 Canterbury v Wellington Wellington 6 Feb 2015 FC

 

[_Ed_]

In more positive news, the MetService website is suggesting that if there are any showers tomorrow they'll be between 6am and midday.

 

[hendrix]

argh.

I don't think McHesson will go for Mills because it's not the game plan.

I think they'll take McCleneghan, with Henry an outside chance.

It's a massive loss, is Milne.

 

[_Ed_]

Yeah, it's a worry. I know Mitch M has performed against SA in the past, but if he bowls like he did against Bangladesh he could be a massive liability tomorrow.

 

[James]

I think no matter which way they go we'll be seeing a lot more overs out of Elliott and possibly Williamson also.

As hendrix said, Milne is a really big loss to the side.

 

[James]

I'd go Henry though if they're talking about bringing him into the squad as a replacement for Milne. For the simple reason that he's been bowling in match situations recently so is obviously more match fit than the other two.

It's a big ask for Mills or McCleneghan to come into the team on the back of basically no cricket for over a month now.

 

[Flem274*]

Mills or henry.

 

[Meridio]

****. Now is when we regret not giving Mills/McClenenenenenen a game earlier in the tournament. Don't think either of them really fits the role Milne was playing though anyway.

I'd go with Henry tbh.

 

[Teja.]

It's be pretty rough to pick a bowler like Mills and then not use him when basically the stars are aligned for him to be used.

Waste of a spot otherwise IMO and they should've just picked Henry instead if they are going to bring him in for Milne now.

 

[GGG]

Sweet, hopefully now with the 3 bowlers we should of played from the start Mills, Southee and Boult.

 

[harsh.ag]

Mills winning it for the Kiwis would be huge