***Official*** Australia in New Zealand 2016

[Zinzan]

Ahh, gutted to read Taylor's out for the 1st Test with only a slim chance of returning in Christchurch.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Ahh, gutted to read Taylor's out for the 1st Test with only a slim chance of returning in Christchurch.

Huge loss. Really important that the top 3 contribute heavily and McCullum is there for a long time, not a good time.

 

[Spark]

Much is made about Australia resting key players in that series in 2007 but by 3rd odi in Hamilton most of NZ's top players were missing. Astle had retired a few weeks earlier (thanks John Bracewell!) during the tri series in Oz, while Bond, Vettori and Oram were missing after injuries in the 1st two CH games and Mills was also out injured. That's our best batsman and 4 best bowlers.

The bowling 'attack' for Hayden's 181* consisted of:

Tuffey
Franklin
Gillespie (his batting won us the game admittedly)
Patel
Styris
McMillan

Meanwhile Australia had Bracken, Tait, Johnson, Hogg, Watson, Voges

There's a slight difference between being rested and injuries though. The former could be taken as the side not taking the series completely 100% seriously, and perhaps that could be reflected in how the rest of the team plays.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

There's a slight difference between being rested and injuries though. The former could be taken as the side not taking the series completely 100% seriously, and perhaps that could be reflected in how the rest of the team plays.

The point I was making was that NZ wasn't at full-strength either.

It could also mean that the replacement players were hungrier than normal - last chance to make the WC squad. As an All Black fan I'm used to seeing some of the best players in the world getting rested and their replacements playing magnificently.

 

[kiwiviktor81]

Looks like it might be the end of the road for Mark Craig in the Test side. Probably they will always pick Santner as the first spinner based on potential and we rarely play two spinners.

 

[Moss]

Not too happy with the Nicholls selection as I feel the angled bat and the habit of moving about the crease will get him found out. His form probably does merit selection but I would rather have had an experienced head in there. Of course the only alternative I can suggest is Brownlie, so either way it probably doesn't make a huge difference. Rosscoe is a huge loss.

Anyway, it can't go as badly as asking Rob Nicol to open against Steyn and Philander.

I hope the selectors are considering playing both Anderson and Santner only if it is a greentop where Corey's bowling gets some assistance and we could use the extra batting ability. Neither of them are safe bet as fourth bowler at the moment.

 

[Moss]

Looks like it might be the end of the road for Mark Craig in the Test side. Probably they will always pick Santner as the first spinner based on potential and we rarely play two spinners.

Actually I don't think this is the case, at the very least Craig will come into consideration when NZ are touring. Picking Santner as one of four specialist bowlers (at this stage in his career) is like picking Ravindra Jadeja for the same role - not advisable unless it's a rogue square turner. But I hope the management (and Mitch himself) are having a good think about what his optimal long-term role in the side should be and work towards it.

 

[Howsie]

Right, so the test XI is pretty much what I expected. Taylor out, lengthen the batting. Boult is going to need to come back quick.

 

[veganbob]

What's the issue with Nicholls? I haven't seen anything of him at FC level but don't have an issue with a guy who averages 105 this season and 43 last year, whilst looking the part at international level in his limited time.

And it's not a bad approach, picking a guy that has seemingly come into the environment and showed himself to be comfortable in it. Technique wise, he looks okay to me. I know he tried to biff the Sri Lankan A (?) attack in Lincoln which is where a few people are coming from, I'd guess.

Will Young hasn't done enough this season, if he'd bossed a few more innings he might have been closer.

pretty happy to see nicholls there. Been the most impressive "new player" this season. Feel santner is getting a bit overhyped. Talented but looks a bit lost and bits and pieces type.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

pretty happy to see nicholls there. Been the most impressive "new player" this season. Feel santner is getting a bit overhyped. Talented but looks a bit lost and bits and pieces type.

Yeah santner definitely needs a clear cut player identity if he's going to succeed. At the moment it's a bit all over the place from the management as to what they want from him/

 

[Immenso]

Looks like it might be the end of the road for Mark Craig in the Test side. Probably they will always pick Santner as the first spinner based on potential and we rarely play two spinners.

End of what road?

Consigning a 20 something year old spinner to history after his first dropping is pretty naive.

 

[SteveNZ]

pretty happy to see nicholls there. Been the most impressive "new player" this season. Feel santner is getting a bit overhyped. Talented but looks a bit lost and bits and pieces type.

Couldn't possibly agree more. At the moment, I feel like he's a good death hitter and that's about it. He might get there to be either a top 6-7 Test batsman, or bowler, much more likely the former in my view. I can't see him being a Test-quality spinner for a long time. And if we continue to pick him, and can't bowl sides out on the 5th day, there's no one to blame but the guys picking him.

And yes, it is far far too premature to write Mark Craig off. There'll be another spinner go to India at least, and if he shows that he's making improvements and is becoming more consistent, it'll be him. We know he has weapons.

 

[social]

Actually I don't think this is the case, at the very least Craig will come into consideration when NZ are touring. Picking Santner as one of four specialist bowlers (at this stage in his career) is like picking Ravindra Jadeja for the same role - not advisable unless it's a rogue square turner. But I hope the management (and Mitch himself) are having a good think about what his optimal long-term role in the side should be and work towards it.

Judging Craig purely on the basis of the Oz tour is harsh as he at least has the happy knack of picking up wickets and, in any event, Lyon is just about the only spinner in world cricket that looks remotely dangerous there

Having said that, his control leaves a lot to be desired and if he can rectify that to a degree, I don't see why he couldn't come under consideration again

 

[vandem]

Yeah santner definitely needs a clear cut player identity if he's going to succeed. At the moment it's a bit all over the place from the management as to what they want from him/

?

Current role seems clear to me.

In tests he bats 6 and is a part-time spinner. Pitch conditions decide the balance of the attack, in NZ conditions normally 4 seamers so he has to be a little more attacking on day 4-5. In sub continent will probably be 3 seamers and 1 attacking spinner (Craig / leggie), so his role is part time defensive.

In limited over he bats between 6-8 and needs to bowl his share of overs as 4th or 5th bowler, but may not be required to bowl his entire spell if there is someone in the top 5 who can bowl (Elliott / Anderson).

His roles in tests may change as Anderson / Neesham return to full fitness, selectors may choose to lengthen the batting lineup by using him as a stock 4th bowler batting at #7 / #8, in the same way as they used Styris / Oram / Neesham at the early stages of their career. IMHO not a good option, should go with 4 specialist bowlers.

 

[Moss]

?

Current role seems clear to me.

In tests he bats 6 and is a part-time spinner. Pitch conditions decide the balance of the attack, in NZ conditions normally 4 seamers so he has to be a little more attacking on day 4-5. In sub continent will probably be 3 seamers and 1 attacking spinner (Craig / leggie), so his role is part time defensive.

In limited over he bats between 6-8 and needs to bowl his share of overs as 4th or 5th bowler, but may not be required to bowl his entire spell if there is someone in the top 5 who can bowl (Elliott / Anderson).

His roles in tests may change as Anderson / Neesham return to full fitness, selectors may choose to lengthen the batting lineup by using him as a stock 4th bowler batting at #7 / #8, in the same way as they used Styris / Oram / Neesham at the early stages of their career. IMHO not a good option, should go with 4 specialist bowlers.

Yeah, was going to say something on similar lines until you added that in. By picking Anderson and him in the same squad, we're not sure if they're playing for the same spot or the management wants to include them both. It's possible they've already decided and have no intention of changing Santner's role.

Here's the thing though. Assuming his roles are clear cut in both formats as you've pointed out, is it a good idea for him to be juggling two fairly different roles early in his career? For comparison, the selectors must be tempted every now and then to play Latham as wicketkeeper and middle order bat in the ODI side, but seem to have decided that he plays as opener or not at all (which I tend to agree with).

 

[_Ed_]

It will be interesting to see Zampa today. Know very little about him apart from the nose thing.

 

[Gnske]

His favourite delivery is the low full toss if that helps.

 

[social]

It will be interesting to see Zampa today. Know very little about him apart from the nose thing.

Very talented but I have a feeling that it's too early

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Reminds me of Zombo.com so should be fun.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Craig shouldn't be discarded. Probably made more 4th innings win contributions already than Vettori ever did - just lacking the control when you need him to hold up an end (which Vettori was obviously superior at)