Cairns out of NZ/India tests

[Tim]

But don't panic, he hasn't re-injured himself. Cairns had told Chairman of Selectors Sir Richard Hadlee that he felt he was not ready for test cricket so soon after his knee operation.

Cairns a few months ago felt he couldn't play two tests, but last week told Hadlee that he could possibly play at Hamilton.

And Hadlee also stated that Andre Adams would miss the first test, so Im guessing NZ's attack will be selected from Bond, Butler, Tuffey & Martin.

 

[SRTgrSDB]

Well NZ is going to miss Cairns badly in the series, Indians can now fancy their chances in the test series, maybe this will be the overseas series that India will win after 16 long years!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The just don't seem to have the bowling to beat New Zealand. Bond is going to be a very tough challenge if he lets loose.

 

[Bazza]

Not surprised to hear this - the guy has played 55 tests in 12 years, despite being the first name on the list on many occasions. If he'd been able to stay 100% fit through his career he could have played double that by now and be looking at 6000 runs/400 wickets, which would have put him down as an all time great. Instead he might finish with 4000/300 if he can have another 3 years.

 

[Gotchya]

If he doesn't deem it fit to play because of fear of recurrence then thats a genuine reason. Especially before the World cup. Still its unfortunate for New Zealand.

 

[anzac]

The loss of Cairns is a big blow because he is a champion all rounder & the Indian's will be relieved......

I do not know that the option to replace him with a specialist bowler is quite so clear cut, given that Hart already lengthens the tail!!!!! The selectors may look at improving the top order by including Horne as a specialist opener, and dropping Sinclair for Vincent to bat lower down the order.

They then may look to either Styris or Harris as allrounders to replace Cairns (like for like) to further improve the batting, and to have a workhorse into the wind bowler. They have recently selected both in this role in the WI tour and they both performed well. A lot would depend on if Styris is available to bowl or not, and what his recent form with the ball has been like. This would then allow them to select either Butler or O'Connor to partner Bond with the new ball as attacking seamers.

If they do not go for an allrounder then they will need a specialist bowler. While I like Tuffey as a workhorse I believe he needs a lot of bowling to get into his rythmn, and may not have the opportunity to do so b4 the series. IMO they will want to get O'Connor back into the team ahead of Martin, as he has genuine swing & has been improving his pace (NZ's Fleming???). He is also a lefty and has more experience.

This could see the following squad:
Richardson, Horne, Fleming, Astle, McMillan, Vincent, Styris/Harris, Hart, Vettori, Bond, O'Connor/Butler.

8D

 

[Tim]

I think you're underrating Hart's value with the bat. His batting during the West Indies test series was vital to the eventual series win.

Twice he came out when NZ were in serious trouble & scored 20 & 30 odd in each innings to help out the top order batsman..I think one time it was Stephen Fleming, the other was Styris. he also scored a 50 in that series.

Infact I think he shows more fight than Parore did on occassions so Im all for having Hart because knowing that he's a specialist keeper, even if he only makes 20 runs with the bat he'll always take those tough chances that can turn a match.

 

[Gotchya]

For the amount of grit Harris has shown over the years, he has been terribly under played in test matches. Why and how did he end up being classed as an ODI player ?

 

[Bazza]

Maybe it's because in 23 tests he average 20 with the bat (5x50s, HS 71)and 73 with the ball (BB 2-16, SR 160), whereas in ODIs he averages 30 with the bat (15x50s, 1x100 and 130 at that) and 36 with the ball (BB 5-42, also 2x4-fers and EC of 4.31, SR 50.6)?

 

[Tim]

Harris is NZ's best first class player..I think he averages close to 50 for Canterbury. But again its the same situation as Michael Bevan..he just can't adapt to international test cricket.

He had a poor series against the West Indies, I don't think he even got past 30 in 4 innings.

Its unfortunate for Harris, but he just can't do it consistently.

 

[lord_of_darkness]

Oh well now thats a disappointment , well anything to keep him from getting injured i guess as he will be much needed in the WL Cup still even if India win the 1st test ive hardly seen the finish a series overseas with India winning...

N.Z will fight back for sure and its not like because cairns has left N.z's bowling attack will be inferior... far from it , butlers pace might trouble India too , bet you there will be new bowler from N.Z or someone new like butler etc will perform well against India .. and continue to shine , always happens a new player is always born against India or reborn..

 

[Gotchya]

Yea Reuben I agree, having seen the Indian team, they have made a lot of teas look good over the years.

 

[Anil]

With or without Cairns, NZ still starts as favourites.

 

[Rik]

Originally posted by Gotchya
Yea Reuben I agree, having seen the Indian team, they have made a lot of teas look good over the years.

What about Coffees

 

[anzac]

I agree with you Tim re Hart's value & in no way am I suggesting he is a weakness - just that at this point he can not be looked upon to score runs as either Parore or Smithy could.......

I had heard that Harris had struggled in the WI when batting in the lower order, but had done better batting higher....I had thought he had batted in a Test in the WI at about number 4 and scored a half ton - 70 odd????

 

[Tim]

Harris played at 4 against England in the test series here & got a 70 in the 3rd test. But then he went to the West Indies & I think batted at 4 or 5 and didn't get past 20 in the 2 tests.

 

[anzac]

Thanx Tim - I knew he'd done it but had the wrong series - considering this is at home in a way strengthens my theory tho'!!!!

I see Butler is out for the series thru injury, and a few of the others have a few niggles as well (England supporters take note - the injury saga is still continuing!!!!).

With the disrupted domestic calendar todate it appears Penn & Franklin are the only seamers to be grabbing the wickets.....

With Adams performing well v India he would now be a front runner to accompany Bond in the Test side, and Franklin would also come into contention being his home track as such......

Final choice will obviously depend on injuries & the pitch, but it looks more like:

Richardson, Horne/Vincent, Sinclair/Vincent, Fleming, Astle, McMillan, Styris, R Hart, Vettori, Adams/Franklin, Bond.

 

[Tim]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Lance Hamilton or Michael Mason from C.D called up, they bowled brilliantly against India yesterday.

 

[Rik]

Originally posted by Tim
I wouldn't be surprised if we see Lance Hamilton or Michael Mason from C.D called up, they bowled brilliantly against India yesterday.

Schwass with 3-46 wasn't bad either...he has an amazing average still for someone of his pace...and basically just an amazing average which has actually lowered again against India :wow:

 

[anzac]

just read about Franklin's groin injury - so the injuries continue. Lately there seems to be a fistful after any lay off for any reason.....

well I guess we can count Franklin out for the 1st Test - but I'd be surprised if they called up yet another debutant even if the CD bowlers went well,.....they'd have to do something outstanding to get past whats left of the 'experienced' seamers!!!!