I don't have a problem with Chris Martin to be honest, and actually believe that hes an important part of the test team. Kyle Mills and Shane Bond would be the other seam bowlers, with Vettori the spinner and Oram as the 5th bowler if I was in charge. Which I'm obviously not, so it will probably not happen.
Agreed. That could develop into quite a decent opening partnership, especially on true, fast bouncy wickets where Vincent is capable of getting into double figures.
Saw that, bloody amazing!Jake with a wicket in his first over
I don't think anyone (except Flem) is suggesting that Oram shouldn't be in the team at all. As a batting allrounder who holds down his spot at 6 and bowls some useful overs, his spot is very much justified, especially given Styris's declining bowling ability and general fitness to bowl.
) in his place as a batsman alone. It's a mute point as he can bowl and hence his place is secure, but that's what was being argued.
Franklin is a highly underrated test bowler (though the appreciation on this forum is growing) which is mainly due to his awful ODI bowling, I'd have Franklin in before Mills and Mills in before Martin in my ideal NZ seam line up. I think Martin is treated a bit harshly and is a very serviceable bowler but he's nothing special so lies 4th in our seam bowling arsenal for me.
Pretty sure even Phlegm can appreciate his bowling is more useful than Styris's at the moment, even if it is sliding downhill all the same.I don't think anyone (except Flem) is suggesting that Oram shouldn't be in the team at all. As a batting allrounder who holds down his spot at 6 and bowls some useful overs, his spot is very much justified, especially given Styris's declining bowling ability and general fitness to bowl.
What was being argued though, was whether he'd make the team on batting alone. And regardless of what his average is at the moment, I've seen enough of him to say confidently that I wouldn't pick if he couldn't bowl. I'd rather have Sinclair, Taylor or Vincent (
Oh I'm sure he can, but that isn't the point. Flem doesn't think the advantage Oram has on Styris with the ball makes up for the advantage Vincent/Sinclair/Taylor would have with the bat on Oram. Basically, he's saying:
I rate Franklin ahead of Mason thats for sure, but I feel that if conditions don't suit, hes not much use to the side whatever the format of the game - admittedly Martin is similar but I believe he is able to be more adapt to more variable conditions. Possibly you don't rate Mills because he hasn't played a lot of test cricket and has not exactly let NZ supporters feel safe in the final over of ODIs but I still rate him highly and would include him in any NZ side.
I'm willing to go out on a limb and say he's deserving of a spot in the team, regardless of whether he bowls or not. I think he suffers a bit because he hasn't performed with the bat in his last 4 tests. Up until then he averaged 45 with the bat and WAS consistent. He didn't score a hundred every third match (when was the last time a Kiwi was in that good a form?) but he has been consistent with starts (including a couple of 90's).I don't think anyone (except Flem) is suggesting that Oram shouldn't be in the team at all. As a batting allrounder who holds down his spot at 6 and bowls some useful overs, his spot is very much justified, especially given Styris's declining bowling ability and general fitness to bowl.
What was being argued though, was whether he'd make the team on batting alone. And regardless of what his average is at the moment, I've seen enough of him to say confidently that I wouldn't pick if he couldn't bowl. I'd rather have Sinclair, Taylor or Vincent (
Don't get me wrong I want Mills in the team but the bonus Franklin adds to the tail is just immense which is why I would find it an easy pick of Franklin over Martin.
With Franklin and Mills you get the feeling they can produce something to take a wicket. I think Franklin can be a very effective test bowler while we got a glimpse of what Mills can do last time in SA.
**** yeah big Jakey.
Really surprised at this personally. Franklin actually has an excellent record when it comes to playing overseas in a variety of conditions. In both forms of the game his away record is markedly superior (test avg of 24.7 away compared to career avg of 28; ODI avg of 30 away compared to career avg of 37). He's had good success in England, South Africa and the Sub Continent (admittedly only against Bangladesh). Admittedly he's more effective on green wickets, but name me one fast bowler who isn't? More importantly he's the kind of bowler who can get a lot of swing no matter what the conditions (provided its a red ball he's swinging that is). He's also got an excellent control of reverse and seems to be gradually building up his pace. But overall what makes him valuable is that he's a wicket taker. His strike rate, though it may surprise you to here it, is one of the best of any international bowlers currently playing in the world. The fact that his batting average is in the low 20's and climbing is a nice bonus as well.
