**Official** New Zealand in England

[GIMH]

So...is McCullum out of the rest of the game? Thinking about a possible chase...are there any decent keepers in the NZ side?

 

[_Ed_]

Papps has looked clueless against quick short bowling, and unless he's dramatically changed his game I don't think he's ever going to be a successful Test opener.

 

[Richard]

Sidebottom on - good.

Fabulous swing with the opening 2 deliveries - keep this up and he's surely going to be getting one or both of these lefties.

 

[_Ed_]

So...is McCullum out of the rest of the game? Thinking about a possible chase...are there any decent keepers in the NZ side?

Nope.

There's a backup keeper in the squad (Hopkins), but there's a rule preventing subs from keeping or something like that isn't there? Or maybe I'm imagining that.

 

[Richard]

So...is McCullum out of the rest of the game? Thinking about a possible chase...

If he comes back, he surely won't be able to bat properly.

are there any decent keepers in the NZ side?

With no Vincent, not really no, I don't think.

 

[NZTailender]

If we can carry a bowler, in the hope that he comes good sooner rather than later, why the hell not?

Thought you were against Vettori's continued selection?

 

[Athlai]

Hay is a middle order player now, but began in youth cricket as an opener. When he moved to FC he was sent down the order yet as a natural opener, he's certainly worth a try at the top. Want him to do it domestically again first though. McCullum on the other hand I only like at the top of the order (more so than 5-6) is to keep the NZ lineup as relatively strong and tight as possible in the Australian vein. Specialist players just never really float my boat though I know in some circumstances they are by far the better option. For NZ opener on the otherhand? No one shouts out for selection.

 

[Richard]

Nope.

There's a backup keeper in the squad (Hopkins), but there's a rule preventing subs from keeping or something like that isn't there? Or maybe I'm imagining that.

That's an interesting one, actually - definately, substitutes have kept wicket in Tests before now. I think possibly it might be allowed if there's an external injury to your designated-wicketkeeper.

 

[Richard]

Papps has looked clueless against quick short bowling, and unless he's dramatically changed his game I don't think he's ever going to be a successful Test opener.

16toS always said that was exaggerated.

 

[Richard]

Thought you were against Vettori's continued selection?

Keep thinking that Katich picture is a Bangladeshi ITBT.

 

[NZTailender]

Not directed at me I know, but I've gotta say I think I'd still have preferred Michael Papps.

Papps seems to have lost the plot though. While he had a horrible, horrible series against SA, I do think he has some promise as an opener. However he will have to wait until next NZ Domestic season to score runs to get back in the frame. You couldn't pick Papps on merit over Redmond for this tour. That said, I think he should've been given an extended lifeline to play against Bangladesh at home after the RSA tour.

 

[_Ed_]

Nice shot Flynn.

 

[Richard]

MSP not offering much threat now. Get Anderson on for mine.

WoW, Flynn scored three off his opening delivery than had thirty deliveries without a run!

 

[Magrat Garlick]

That's an interesting one, actually - definately, substitutes have kept wicket in Tests before now. I think possibly it might be allowed if there's an external injury to your designated-wicketkeeper.

You already have to be injured to have a substitute though.

Law 2:

2. Objection to substitutes
The opposing captain shall have no right of objection to any player acting as a substitute on the field, nor as to where the substitute shall field. However, no substitute shall act as wicket-keeper. See 3 below.

3. Restrictions on the role of substitutes
A substitute shall not be allowed to bat or bowl nor to act as wicket-keeper or as captain on the field of play.

Pretty clear.

 

[Athlai]

Eoin Morgan on as a substitue now, Broad has ducked into the rooms


The same Eoin Morgan that is the promising Irish batting star?

 

[Richard]

If Morgan is good enough, he'll play for England. He's been a Middlesex player for a while now.

Scored his first one-day century yesterday, IIRR.

 

[_Ed_]

A run for Oram against Sidebottom! I'll appreciate it as it seems to be a very rare thing at present.

 

[Athlai]

Give him to us I reckon. Yet he's played for the Irish national team so it may take a while.

 

[Richard]

I know NZ have imported a SAfrican or two of late, as well as a WIndian in the 1950s, but I've never heard of Brits or Irish (apart from Twose) playing for NZ TBH.

SIX! Blimeys.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

So if he ever plays for England, he'll have played for three different nations. Think that's a record.