**Official** New Zealand in Australia 2015

[morgieb]

We shouldn't drop Craig. Even if he's playing as a slip catcher, that's very important. We can't drop catches next game.

It's also unlikely that any replacement will bowl or bat better. Moreover (I know it's unlikely) but this wouldn't be the first time he has a bad match to turn it around.

Only issue is Neesham's injury. There are better seamers out there than him IMO, and I think going with four bowlers or batting Craig at 6/7 is a bit of a reach.

 

[hendrix]

I felt this way at first to, but honestly who would you pick ahead of him? Milne and Wheeler are injured, as is Nuttal. Kuggs is a poor man's Bracewell. You're obviously not a Duffman, and I don't think anyone's advocating a recall for Brent Arnel or Mark Gillespie. If nothing else, Mitch is at least in form, and the Waca is a good venue for lefties.

I like the Wells or Kuggs idea, but yeah the rape allegations...yuck.

Wells would be my pick.

 

[Bahnz]

We shouldn't drop Craig. Even if he's playing as a slip catcher, that's very important. We can't drop catches next game.

It's also unlikely that any replacement will bowl or bat better. Moreover (I know it's unlikely) but this wouldn't be the first time he has a bad match to turn it around.

Yeah, I wrestled with this, but I think that Ronchi's just a bit more likely to land the ball on a good length with consistency.

 

[hendrix]

Best way to make Craig bowl better is to bat first and score 500. Barring that, he will be terrible again.

Could just about retain Craig if Neesham was still fit, but without him it forces the issue as can't afford the fourth bowler to be completely incapable of keeping the runs down.

Only issue is Neesham's injury. There are better seamers out there than him IMO, and I think going with four bowlers or batting Craig at 6/7 is a bit of a reach.

Yeah true...crap.

 

[Gnske]

I like the Wells or Kuggs idea, but yeah the rape allegations...yuck.

Wells would be my pick.

Guilty until proven more guilty eh?

 

[Bahnz]

Hey, his mum says he's innocent, so.

 

[hendrix]

Guilty until proven more guilty eh?

No, but can understand NZC not selecting him until he clears his name. I know it's unfair but they're protecting their brand etc.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

he is hot though

Maybe if you have a fetish for Batman and Robin-era Chris O'Donnell.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Guilty until proven more guilty eh?

Weren't you cracking bad jokes about Chris Cairns?

 

[Dan]

You know who'd be great to have in a fourth seamer and #6 role?
First name starts with J, surname with R.





















Yep, you've got it. John R. Reid.

 

[Howsie]

I felt this way at first to, but honestly who would you pick ahead of him? Milne and Wheeler are injured, as is Nuttal. Kuggs is a poor man's Bracewell. You're obviously not a Duffman, and I don't think anyone's advocating a recall for Brent Arnel or Mark Gillespie. If nothing else, Mitch is at least in form, and the Waca is a good venue for lefties.

Yeah you're probably right. Still, if he and Wagner were to play a test together I don't think I'd be able to watch a single ball.

Anyway with Neesham out (and I'll have a rant about that later) it probably does us a favour in a way. Santner is a better bowler obvs, plus he's more likely to score runs in Australia. I doubt Craig will be dropped but I'd seriously consider it to play the four quicks.

 

[Bahnz]

You know who'd be great to have in a fourth seamer and #6 role?
First name starts with J, surname with R.





















Yep, you've got it. John R. Reid.

Would last longer against Mitchell Starc than Ryder would.

 

[Dan]

Doesn't Colin de Grandhomme still exist? Surely a better fit than Mitch "Leave the tailenders to me" McClenaghan

Not bowling atm and off as an apprentice sparkie, I think SteveNZ was saying.

 

[Gnske]

No, but can understand NZC not selecting him until he clears his name. I know it's unfair but they're protecting their brand etc.

Fair enough, doubt he would be too close anyway

Weren't you cracking bad jokes about Chris Cairns?

Of course not, I dare not joke about NZ cricket's favourite son.

 

[Spikey]

word has it he's mad at B-Mac for not lasting until the second session

 

[Flem274*]

First rule - no panicking

That means not throwing mitch m or murali santa to the wolves

I suspect we'll see something funky like a josh clarkson debut by series end though

 

[Frost]

Surely its Henry for southee and bring Ronchi for Neeshem.
Henry takes the new ball with boult and hope Doug and Trent bowl a whole lot better.
On the Bmac out,should smith have called him back? Or is that too nice?

 

[Moss]

Surely its Henry for southee and bring Ronchi for Neeshem.
Henry takes the new ball with boult and hope Doug and Trent bowl a whole lot better.
On the Bmac out,should smith have called him back? Or is that too nice?

I'd want Wagner in there, for Bracewell if not Neesham. Has had some proper cricket under his belt and if he does bleed runs more likely to take wickets in the process. But as we've seen adjusting to Aussie conditions is a different matter.

 

[Bahnz]

Surely its Henry for southee and bring Ronchi for Neeshem.
Henry takes the new ball with boult and hope Doug and Trent bowl a whole lot better.
On the Bmac out,should smith have called him back? Or is that too nice?

Don't be ridiculous. Bad decisions happen, it's no business of the fielding captain whether the ump ****ed up or not.

 

[Howsie]

First rule - no panicking

That means not throwing mitch m or murali santa to the wolves

I suspect we'll see something funky like a josh clarkson debut by series end though

Put you're house on Santner playing the second test. New Zealand won't and quite frankly can't go into a test match with Mark Craig as part of a four man bowling attack.