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

[Meridio]

Actually, I suppose Nathan McCullum's an option too. Though I doubt we'll go down that route, conditions are unlikely to suit and also apparently the boundaries are small at Eden Park...not sure if anyone's realised that yet.

 

[GGG]

Mills winning it for the Kiwis would be huge

And wouldn't surprise me one bit.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

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.

Yeah but Henry has been bowling with a red ball in front of 3 men and a dog. At least the other two have been in the atmosphere with tens of thousands of people around and have been practising with a white ball in the nets.

I admit Henry's extra pace would be very useful though, especially if we get to the MCG.

 

[Moss]

I'd be really tempted to go with Matt Henry for the reason that he's had more game time and better fits the role Milne has been playing (though Mills generally does well against the Saffers and could be the Larsen on the day). Also have a feeling we'll need to bowl the proteas out so more strike power is welcome.

Interestingly there's a direct precedent to thiis situation. Mills was ruled out just before the 2011 semi final and McKay was flown in a day earlier and ended up playing (despite Bennett or someone else already being in the squad). Maybe McHesson see this differently? Would be really hard on Mills - what is it with him and world cups?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Actually, I suppose Nathan McCullum's an option too. Though I doubt we'll go down that route, conditions are unlikely to suit and also apparently the boundaries are small at Eden Park...not sure if anyone's realised that yet.

Nah, although I'd like to see Williamson bowl a bit if we make the final. Could be useful at the MCG

 

[GGG]

I'd be really tempted to go with Matt Henry for the reason that he's had more game time and better fits the role Milne has been playing (though Mills generally well against the Saffers and could be the Larsen on the day). Also have a feeling we'll need to bowl the proteas out so more strike power is welcome.

Interestingly there's a direct precedent to thiis situation. Mills was ruled out just before the 2011 semi final and McKay was flown in a day earlier and ended up playing (despite Bennett or someone else already being in the squad). Maybe McHesson see this differently? Would be really hard on Mills - what is it with him and world cups?

Semi final, pressure, SA, AB on a rampage ... throw the ball to a guy that has played 6 ODI's is a big call.

 

[Moss]

Semi final, pressure, SA, AB on a rampage ... throw the ball to a guy that has played 6 ODI's is a big call.

Henry was thrown into the deep end against India last year and did the job, so too against Pakistan, so I'd like to think he can handle it. But fair enough I see your reasoning and won't fault the think tank for seeing it that way.

If Mills plays I'd probably ask him to take the new ball and give Southee the Milne role. Mitch is a risk in Auckland though worth a shot at the MCG if we get there.

 

[jonbrooks]

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

Lots of wickets for Henry. I'd have had him in our squad ahead of Miline.

 

[Bahnz]

Rargh, massive blow - though if there's one match were Milne's extra pace is less likely to be needed it's South Africa at Eden Park.

Replacing him is extremely tough. I'm probably most inclined to go Mills and Boult with the new ball and Southee coming on first change - though Henry's form in the last couple of weeks for Canterbury has been compelling - and South Africa won't have seen much of him - besides the 5 or 6 overs he bowled to them back in September. Then again when Henry and Boult opened together against Sri Lanka last month it appeared that they didn't have quite the same chemistry that Southee and Boult enjoy. Further, Southee's been a bit average as a run-container recently. Yargh.

 

[Mike5181]

Oh babey, if Henry gets picked our bowling attack will be pure ***.

Come on, Hesson. I don't think you'll do it, but let's see how big your balls are.

 

[straw man]

Ah bad luck for Milne. I was always concerned he or Vettori would get injured with lots of cricket over the last few weeks and with big matches closer together towards the end of the tournament.

Perfect timing though to introduce our SECA-RET WEA-PON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah but Henry has been bowling with a red ball in front of 3 men and a dog. At least the other two have been in the atmosphere with tens of thousands of people around and have been practising with a white ball in the nets.

Admittedly this is a fair point - how Henry would handle the pressure. Mills would be the more conservative option. Wouldn't completely write off McClenenen either, despite one bad game.

However Boult has been our best fast bowler this tournament and in terms of pace, swing, trajectory, bounce, Henry is our most similar bowler to him. There's more of a risk with Mills that despite his experience and like Southee against WI, he can be successfully hit off a length.

Anyway it will be interesting tstl to see who gets the nod.

 

[GGG]

Didn't realise Mills' stats at Eden Park are as bad as they are, averaging 44 in 16 games.

 

[Bahnz]

My biggest concern about Henry is that he can be very hittable, particularly in the later stages of a match - he got absolutely pumped a couple of times in the UAE before Christmas, and had a pretty miserable Ford Trophy campaign as well. Including him in the side will give the bowling attack a real death-or-glory feel to it. Mills and even McClenagargle are definitely both 'safer' options.

 

[Moss]

Didn't realise Mills' stats at Eden Park are as bad as they are, averaging 44 in 16 games.

Quite surprisingly Mills has been a far better bowler abroad. Can remember him being exceptional in the SC and South Africa and pretty decent in Aus.

 

[Moss]

My biggest concern about Henry is that he can be very hittable, particularly in the later stages of a match - he got absolutely pumped a couple of times in the UAE before Christmas, and had a pretty miserable Ford Trophy campaign as well. Including him in the side will give the bowling attack a real death-or-glory feel to it. Mills and even McClenagargle are definitely both 'safer' options.

All three options are hittable imo, maybe Mills to a lesser degree. Becomes all the more important that Southee bounces back now.

 

[Greenlite]

Come on Hessen, pick Henry.

He's shown big match temperament, debuting against India and taking 4 wickets, beating up Pakistan and winning MoM in the decider. The crowd will be behind him so that should help. He'll be our element of surprise and SA will have no idea what they are getting (some video footage but even that's limited).

Mostly importantly, he's match fit, maybe that's why they didn't pick him in the first place, stay match fit, Mitch showed how 6 weeks of net sessions can destroy a player's form.

Open with So/Bo still, and hopefully they can destroy SA, take the pressure of Henry. SA will probably plan to block out Boult and Dan and go after Southee/Henry/Anderson, but then we'll see what Henry does.

 

[GGG]

McClenaghan is the most hittable of the lot, would personally go Henry over him.

 

[GGG]

Come on Hessen, pick Henry.

He's shown big match temperament, debuting against India and taking 4 wickets, beating up Pakistan and winning MoM in the decider. The crowd will be behind him so that should help. He'll be our element of surprise and SA will have no idea what they are getting (some video footage but even that's limited).

Mostly importantly, he's match fit, maybe that's why they didn't pick him in the first place, stay match fit, Mitch showed how 6 weeks of net sessions can destroy a player's form.

Open with So/Bo still, and hopefully they can destroy SA, take the pressure of Henry. SA will probably plan to block out Boult and Dan and go after Southee/Henry/Anderson, but then we'll see what Henry does.

Well he has played against them (3rd ODI: New Zealand v South Africa at Hamilton, Oct 27, 2014 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo) didn't he also play a 20/20 for Canterbury v SA a few years back where he went ballistic with the bat?

 

[halba]

nz now favourite for this match imo, with henry included instead of the injury prone milne. henry is in career best form at first class level and should have been included right from the start ahead of milne.

 

[Howsie]

Henry please.

Like I said over a month ago. If Mills plays New Zealand will not win the World Cup, just not possible carrying such a liability. Would hate to see New Zealand have played so well over the last seven games only to see Mills ruin it all when he comes back.