***Official*** New Zealand in South Africa

[sirjeremy11]

Yeah I saw it. Sinclair certainly doesn't hold back.

Deaker - So do you think you have been harshly treated?
Sinclair - Yes

Deaker - Do you think if you were from Canterbury you would still be in the team?
Sinclair - Yes

Good on him. I would like to see the man get another chance. Wonder if he will? If politic has it's say, he will not. Absolute farce that Cumming and James Marshall have contracts and he doesn't.

 

[Dick Rockett]

he has also failed to pass 40 in his last 20 innings since the beginning of March 2005)

That's not true, he's passed 40 twice in his last 7 ODIs.

While I agree that Marshall's in poor form, it probably hasn't helped that he's generally been shunted up and down the batting order in both forms of the game, to make way for more "fashionable" players. His elevation to the opening spot in tests is well documented, and rightly derided, but he's also been dropped down the batting order with annoying regularity in ODIs. The poor guy, he's a "nurdler", not a "hitter", and he's expected to come in at number 7 or 8 with 4 overs to go and start blasting sixes. All this messing around with his game has had an obviously disasterous effect on his form.

I'm also surprised at the calls to drop Fulton. Such an action is premature after one bad test on a dodgy pitch, especially considering the impressive home season he had.

 

[Dick Rockett]

What really vexes me is Fleming even having a spot in the side at the moment. There's guys out there who have actually... you know, won us matches lately by scoring runs.

Before this match, Fleming's last test score was a 97. NZ won that match.

 

[TT Boy]

Before this match, Fleming's last test score was a 97. NZ won that match.

But it was aganist the West Indies...

 

[TT Boy]

I thought Sinclair was on his honeymoon, is he (now) available for this series?

 

[Dick Rockett]

But it was aganist the West Indies.

That's not really relevant. The poster was asserting that Fleming didn't contribute runs to victorious efforts, and I was illustrating that he just did.

If people assert that Fleming's no good because he can't contribute to wins against decent sides, I'll counter with this: when was the last time we beat a decent side in a test? That begs the further question; are these people suggesting that New Zealand's failure to win tests against the top sides is all Stephen Fleming's fault?

For mine, that's crazy. Besides, what kind of indictment would it be on Fleming if he hadn't scored any runs against the Windies? He's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

 

[sirjeremy11]

I am trying to pick a team for the next test, and I'm struggling.

I want to leave out Marshall. And Martin I guess. Franklin looks as though he has picked up an injury. Bond, well who knows?

Here I go...

Papps
Fulton
Styris
Fleming
Astle
Oram
McCullum
Vettori
Franklin
Mills
Bond

No Bond = bring in Martin
No Bond, Franklin - bring in Martin, Mason

I have wondered how Styris would go at # 3, mainly as I don't think Fleming should be at 3. I also find it hard to leave out either Styris, Oram, or Astle.

Mind you, Oram used to bat 3 for CD.

 

[Ming]

He's a great guy, too, from what I've seen of him. Good sportsman overall.

EDIT: Talking of Ntini, there. As for Astle, I think to say he doesn't have any mental toughness is a pretty big statement, considering he's one of NZ's best all-time players. If anything, look to Marshall's past year. I would say that he is the one lacking mental toughness, as he's been unable to produce for such a long time.

I suppose he didn't have mental toughness to score 140 in what was basically his Test debut against Australia?

Oram used to bat for CD at 3 yes, but in one-day cricket.

Sinclair and Vincent were only unavailable for the warmup and the 1st Test. But I doubt Bracewell will bring them in, as much as I want Lou back in the side.

 

[NZTailender]

I'm not a big fan of Sinclair (in fact I've rubbished him on this forum a couple of times) but I'd rather see him opening than Marshall and Fulton. Are Papps and How injured?

If they are, and as much as I hate to say it, I'd prefer Vincent and Sinclair opening (for the fact Vincent should bat at four, and Sinclair should bat around 5) with Styris at 3.

if Fleming's afraid of the new ball, then he can bat at say, 6, haha.

In fact...
Crazy XI
1. Vincent
2. McCullum
3. Styris
4. Fulton (he's done nothing wrong. Opening will ruin him)
5. Astle
6. Fleming (c)
7. Oram
8. Vettori
9. Mills
10. Mason
11. Martin/Franklin (if he's not injured. If he isn't, bats at 9)

Problem is McCullum opening. He's done a lot of rescue jobs for us at number 7 but he may have success turning 30's into 100 at the top of the order.
Can't really drop Oram OR Styris. I don't think they'll call up Sinclair and bring him to open, either.
Bowling wise, Mason >>> Martin, and Mills looks more and more like a test bowler every...err...test.




Yeah, I talk a lot of crap.

 

[DanielFullard]

Any changes mentioned for the next game?

 

[Natman20]

I can say that Bond won't play because thats just normal now. I think its unlikely he would play. One of the top players but injuries mean they probably should bring an extra bowler to cover him on every series they do.

 

[marc71178]

Any changes mentioned for the next game?

I heard on the quiet that both sides are going to follow the oracle's latest offering and select 4 batsmen, a keeper and 6 bowlers...

 

[sirjeremy11]

I heard on the quiet that both sides are going to follow the oracle's latest offering and select 4 batsmen, a keeper and 6 bowlers...

It's what Auckland do.

 

[marc71178]

Richard to tell us all how he can assure us that Auckland are the 2nd best side in the world after SA in 5..4..3..

 

[Smudge]

Give it a rest, Marc.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

But it was aganist the West Indies...

The West Indies team that was cruising to victory well into the fourth day of the previous match. The West Indies team that actually bowled well through most of the Test series. If not for the poor captaincy and tactics at some stages in the first two matches, New Zealand would probably have scored even fewer runs than the few they ended up scoring. Comparatively of course.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Good on him. I would like to see the man get another chance. Wonder if he will? If politic has it's say, he will not. Absolute farce that Cumming and James Marshall have contracts and he doesn't.

Sinclair is one of the few New Zealand players who I could never bring myself to support. Call it childish, but I haven't forgiven him for his debut yet.

 

[Smudge]

Sinclair is one of the few New Zealand players who I could never bring myself to support. Call it childish, but I haven't forgiven him for his debut yet.

How childish.

 

[sirjeremy11]

Sinclair is one of the few New Zealand players who I could never bring myself to support. Call it childish, but I haven't forgiven him for his debut yet.

No wonder Rodney Redmond can't get into Pakistan.

 

[Ming]

Give it a rest, Marc.

Yep I agree. Learn from Volty marc, he's given his 'naming crap players' thing a rest too.