Why pick him at all?Trent Boult
13 man squad, BJ Watling and Boult the two "surprises" I suppose. Watling staying at home though so New Zealand will only go over with 12.
Oh ffs, if Watling hits a ton..MargotButcher said:"We have decided to allow BJ Watling to play in the third round of #PlunketShield to give him maximum game time" - will not play Oz warm-up
thisDrop Brownlie and play all the bowlers IMO.
It's difficult because I think Brownlie is a genuine chance to score runs vs Australia.Drop Brownlie and play all the bowlers IMO.
It's disappointing because it was repeated (by news websites) over and over when he was playing domestic cricket prior to NZ debut was that he was a stonewaller with a very solid defensive technique.Watling seems like a decent bloke, is a good opener for ND, and has time on his side, but he really isn't test standard right now.
He's definitely got a more "classical-looking" technique than the likes of Redmond, McIntosh, Cumming or even Ryder but that as you said that doesn't make it solid as he has several flaws. A bit like How in that respect.It's disappointing because it was repeated over and over when he was playing domestic cricket prior to NZ debut was that he was a stonewaller with a very solid defensive technique.
But he doesn't have a solid defensive technique...
Yeah their technical faults aren't the same; I didn't mean it that way. I just meant that they both play 'pretty cricket' which makes them look suited to making a step up when they play at lower levels, but have been found out higher up due to flaws that perhaps aren't that obvious straight away.Jamie How's main issue was planting the front foot with very hard hands against the moving ball iirc. Watling varies from poking outside off, shuffling around without really going anywhere, and not being able to handle spin.
I think Watling actually got worse after a few tests and degenerated from there. I think he could use a break.
Yes Jamie How was a player who looked good defensively but as flem said, he would go extremely hard at the ball which caused his downfall in international cricket.Yeah their technical faults aren't the same; I didn't mean it that way. I just meant that they both play 'pretty cricket' which makes them look suited to making a step up when they play at lower levels, but have been found out higher up due to flaws that perhaps aren't that obvious straight away.