Harsh on Tait as his career hasn't really even got underway.The guy may not be quick, but the likes of Vaas, Mills, McGrath, Clark, Bracken, and countless others (like a certain Syd Barnes) have succeeded in international cricket.
Then there are your Harmisons, Sami's, M Gillespies, Taits etc who are quick but rubbish.
I haven't the slightest idea whether you give any regard to their domestic FC stats.If you're comparing Praveen Kumar to Joginder, Mohanty or hell, even Balaji, I'm not sure what you've been watching.
I am not sure whether you've followed Chaminda in the first 5-7 years of his career, because he was up there with Z Khan as to pace. And even with his speed diminished after he passed 30, his accuracy and swing bowling are excellent.In any case, I'd say Chaminda Vaas's case proves that a sub-continent bowler can indeed have success even if not bowling at great pace. The pitches are generally on the slowish side anyway so noone's going to be beaten by pace against anyone but the Taits and Akhtars of the game.
I agree that swing bowlers are a threat in NZ, particularly now, considering the relative inexperience of the batsmen there. And I agree he did a reasonably good job in ODIs in Aus. But since then, his form has taken a nose-dive. He couldnt buy a wicket in ODIs in Ban and Pakistan. And his domestic form hasn't been spectacular either. So I wouldn't call for inclusion of Kumar in the team to NZ as of now.The other thing I would say is that Praveen Kumar is neither Mohanty nor Joginder, and should have the failures of neither of those players held against him. He's been excellent in ODIs for India, and depending on the disciplinary question, deserves a shot at the test side. For this series in particular, medium-fast swingers are a real threat in New Zealand.
Yes, yes and Yes. On current form as well as considering their International experience, all the 3 mentioned are better selections than Kumar. My first choice would obviously be Munaf Patel, followed by Sreesanth and then RP. Sreesanth has made a good comeback in domestic cricket following his injury layoff and is a genuine matchwinner in swinging conditions. Moreso than P Kumar. Kumar simply does not deserve a spot in test team as of now.You have to look at the competition too. Do Sreesanth, RP Singh or Munaf really make a convincing case for selection? They're all very hit-and-miss. It's not like I'm advocating he replace an established member of the side like Zaheer or Ishant. Whoever you pick will be a gamble, and I think Kumar has a better chance of success than the other options.
Go ahead and question my knowledge of Indian domestic cricket ... now go find me someone with the slightest understanding of the game who thinks Joginder Sharma is better than, as good as or even close to Praveen Kumar as a bowler in international cricket. Oh yeah, don't come back with more of these stats ... it doesn't exactly make you look like an authority on the subject. If you've watched them in action and think Joginder > Praveen, let's talk.I haven't the slightest idea whether you give any regard to their domestic FC stats.
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Joginder Sharma
200 wickets @ 20.05
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Praveen Kumar
144 wickets @ 23.45
Kthxgoodbye.
Praveen had a good series in Aus and has been hyped up ever since. Let him continue his form in some more ODI series before he has any say whatsoever of getting into test team.Go ahead and question my knowledge of Indian domestic cricket ... now go find me someone with the slightest understanding of the game who thinks Joginder Sharma is better than, as good as or even close to Praveen Kumar as a bowler in international cricket. Oh yeah, don't come back with more of these stats ... it doesn't exactly make you look like an authority on the subject. If you've watched them in action and think Joginder > Praveen, let's talk.
Yeah, RP Singh is waaayward. Reminds me of early Jimmy Anderson tbh- too much "when he gets it right he can be awesome!" when it very, very rarely happens. Then again, even Anderson doesn't have an E/R anywhere near as bad as RP's in either form of international cricket.RP Singh? With respect, from what I've seen of him he'd be one of the last picked.
Please play him though, and rest Zaheer while you're at it. Come on, you know you want to....
RP Singh is in terrible form and appears to be injured as well. Zaheer-Ishant-Munaf is a sure thing as of now but the reserve spots are still up for grabs. Praveen Kumar, Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan are the main contenders but a wild-card may emerge in the Duleep Trophy.The amount of swing Praveen gets both in and out is his biggest asset. He's also much more disciplined as a bowler than somebody like Joginder Sharma who I've seen has a tendency to bowl short and wide two to three times in an over.
I'd definitely have Praveen Kumar over Joginder Sharma in the side at this stage, however I'm not writing Joginder Sharma off as I think with some development he can be useful for India in the future.
As for test matches, Praveen is a better choice than Sreesanth as he is more disciplined and mentally stronger. However Munaf Patel and RP Singh should be the ones next in line for a test spot after Zaheer and Ishant Sharma.
Save that for reposting after the series mate. I bet you would not want to. RP is gun in swinging conditions, Perth? Durban T20? anyone?RP Singh? With respect, from what I've seen of him he'd be one of the last picked.
Please play him though, and rest Zaheer while you're at it. Come on, you know you want to....
It's a shame for him then that there is no test match in Auckland. Shouldn't swing a lot in Napier or Wellington, if at all. Hamilton maybe a bit.Save that for reposting after the series mate. I bet you would not want to. RP is gun in swinging conditions, Perth? Durban T20? anyone?
He's chucked pies in swinging conditions before too.Save that for reposting after the series mate. I bet you would not want to. RP is gun in swinging conditions, Perth? Durban T20? anyone?
However atm I'd prefer Zak, Ishant, Munaf followed by Sree, Bala and RP.
He's chucked pies in swinging conditions before too.
Basically he chucks pies.
As I said, he won't be in my first 3 choices, or 4.
Won't be arguing with that.
Mate, he took six wickets in the match. Including Shaun Tait, Brett Lee and Stuart Clark. If by "bowl his team to win" you mean "took three top-order wickets in a match" then Monty Panesar and Steve Harmison both did it in the same match in 2006/07.As I said, he won't be in my first 3 choices, or 4.
However he has done what no NZ bowler has achieved in a decade, or Englishman, namely bowl his team to a win at Perth.
Chuck that.