Bahnz
Hall of Fame Member
Anyway,
Don't think either would be that ideal tbh. I think Rippon would be underused as a bowler, and Smith isn't nearly a good enough batsman to bat 7 in tests. Imo, if Nicholls is fit, he'll slot back into 5, and Mitchell and Blundell will drop back down to 6 and 7, and they'll bring Wagner or Henry back into the attack. They should persevere with Ajaz, but with Daz's bowling being a definite downgrade from Colin's (particularly now that the bowlers won't have the Lords slope to work with) I think Stead will play it safe.Shame Michael Rippon had a poor Plunket Shield last season (although still better than Bracewell's) or else he could have been the ideal replacement for CDG. Or if they'd picked Nathan Smith in the original 20.