NZ 1st test side

[anzac]

Dan Vettori, IIRC.

HHmmm - and vice captain to Cairns in the ODI series eh.......

well if the papers are hinting at surprises he could be one - he has the international experience, his natural game is thoughtful and aggressive, but I wonder if he has the leadership experience as he is not a domestic Captain......

still they could do worse.........

 

[anzac]

I think we are all reaching conclusions when stephen fleming hasnt even been confirmed to play in the first test due to injury, and the same goes with Robbie Hart.

Perhaps Marshall would play at number 3 in place of fleming and Cairns would be test captain for the 1st test, and so would be in the test squad, not many other players could be considered as captaincy material at this stage in their careers.

What would happen if Hart is ruled out of the 1st test, McCullum would need to improve his keeping skills (he missed a few chances).

Fleming's described as still feeling some discomfort in streatching...giving that there is still 9 days to go I'd still be putting my money on him playing........

I have not heard anywhere else talk of Hart being injured - can someone please enlighten me as to what it is etc?????????

McCullum would get the nod if Hart is unavailable - Hart also missed some sitters in the Test series v India - some crucial ones as well......

Vettori is my sleeper candidate for the Captaincy if Fleming is ruled out!!! Cairns doesn't make it into my squad as he has not shown any consistant form on the ODI series. Macca is the previous vice captain so he would be my other candidate......

 

[anzac]

Astle will never bowl again, because of his injury and there is talk that he might just never play ODI's again in order to play more Test matches.

Oram is an attacking player, he has shown that.

I really don't know here you guys get it that he is a defensive player. Really.

Yep it appears so for Astle - just read the specialists have said he will have a permanent arthritic condition in his knee, so that fairly well rules out any bowling at least.

If it is the end of his ODI career that will really set the selectors into a bout of head spinning!!!!!

We're not saying that he is, just that when he plays defensively he is more vulnerable & less effective, particularly as seen against the Indian spinners - he did not use his height (stride) to his best advantage, but it should be easier at home as the pitches will not assist the spinners as much. I really want to see him let loose in this series so I hope we get a couple of decent wickets to play on........

 

[anzac]

Well the newspapers are starting to suggest what the team will be & could surprise.

It appears as though, (going by rumours) that McIntosh, Marshall, Wilson & Adams are the 4 that could get either a surprise call up or in Adams case a recall.

But I just can't see McIntosh being selected ahead of Richard Jones. I know alot of people will complain, but the fact is that Jones has been taken on tours to Sri Lanka & India therefore he should be given 1st dibs at playing test cricket before McIntosh.

Bracewell may decide to start with a clean slate & so maybe Jones will fall out of favour.

ok so what if Fleming, Astle & Hart are unavailable, and Bracewell sticks to his doctrine of players needing to be able to perform & Cairns is not in the squad for the 1st Test.......

They have to bring in a new 'keeper, and 2 replacement batsmen. So they are likely to have 3 new faces in the lineup at least, and I think they will want to limit the disruption to that.

McCullum is the logical choice to cover for Hart & he has started to show some form with the bat - he may flourish in the longer game. Jones has been the current batting cover, but he is a specialist opener - not a middle order style of game. Sinclair & Horne have previous experience but no recent form. Marshall & McIntosh are the current 'form' middle order with Marshall getting my vote.

Richardson, Jones, Vincent, Styris, Marshall, McMillan (VC), Oram, McCullum, Vettori (C), Tuffey, Butler

I can't see Jones being played anywhere but as an opener. While it may not be pretty to watch I think Jones & Richardson will be able to see off the new ball & bowlers enough for the revised middle & lower orders. Vincent at 3 provides cover should an early wicket fall & I don't see them wanting to drop Styris down the order so that means Marshall at 5.

If the bowling fails then we could see Adams get a recall, or even Cairns if he performs on the domestic scene.

8D

 

[anzac]

With Astle out of the ODIs, how about this for the 1st ODI

Fleming, Cumming, Marshall, Styris, Vincent / McIntosh, McMillan, Oram / Cairns / Canning, McCullum, Adams / Wilson, Vettori, Tuffey

note - 6 batsmen not 4 or less

what is the Auckland OD opening & top order????? As an alternative ......

McIntosh, Vincent, Fleming, Marshall, Styris, McMillan, for the batting lineup......or even

Fleming, McCullum, Marshall, Styris, McIntosh, McMillan

8D

 

[marc71178]

pakistan's gonna crush new zealand......no matter wat team they send out! im sorry,but it's the truth!

I wouldn't be so sure to be honest - If the wrong Pakistan turns up, which is a disctinct possibility, then they could be hammered.

 

[shaka]

latest reports show fleming has either a hernia or a pelvic stress fracture, so therefore will be highly likely that he will miss at least the first test against Pakistan. This would be a huge blow for a captain who has led the side so well.

I dont think Wilson should play in the tests because i feel he needs more local cricket before he goes and plays for the Black Caps. However he did perform well against Auckland who have the likes of Vincent and Richardson. Taking 5 wickets against them is a huge achievement and can only be good in the eyes of the selectors.

 

[anzac]

latest reports show fleming has either a hernia or a pelvic stress fracture, so therefore will be highly likely that he will miss at least the first test against Pakistan. This would be a huge blow for a captain who has led the side so well.

I dont think Wilson should play in the tests because i feel he needs more local cricket before he goes and plays for the Black Caps. However he did perform well against Auckland who have the likes of Vincent and Richardson. Taking 5 wickets against them is a huge achievement and can only be good in the eyes of the selectors.

The news re Fleming has changed - see the other thread.

Re Wilson - are you forgetting that he already has International caps in ODIs as a youngster?

 

[thierry henry]

Sheesh I'm not sure about Wilson. Wouldn't he be a fair way down the pecking order? He last played 11 years ago. 11 years!

Also, I already posted this in another thread without seeing this one, but here's my team (without Fleming)

Vincent
Richardson
McIntosh/Sinclair
Styris
McMillan
Cairns
Oram
Hart
Vettori
Tuffey
Butler

Pretty straightforward and it's the same team that the Sunday Star-Times picked today (although i picked mine first!). At first I had McIntosh, but isn't he an opener?? I am always keen to give Sinclair another crack in the tests.