**Official** New Zealand in West Indies

[SteveNZ]

I'll believe that when I hear it from someone other than that farming bloke who follows ND around and rings up Radio Sport all the time

 

[Mike5181]

Unfortunately you're right there. It would interest me if Southee went from being out of the Test squad to making the XI ahead of bowlers picked ahead of him - ie all of them (Martin Bracewell Wagner and Boult.

If fully fit, absolutely I would play Watling. Golf clap to van Wyk on his fighting 20s against SA but Watling was the man selected ahead of him before that, scored an unbeaten 100 v Zimbabwe, and has now scored runs in the ODIs.

Are you really using a selection decision from seven months ago, a century against a Zimbabwean bowling attack and ODI runs to justify selecting someone for a test match?

 

[SteveNZ]

Are you really using a selection decision from seven months ago, a century against a Zimbabwean bowling attack and ODI runs to justify selecting someone for a test match?

Yes.

What would you be using in van Wyk's case?

 

[Bahnz]

Yes.

What would you be using in van Wyk's case?

Great keeping and a match saving knock against a rampant world class attack.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Not to mention a far better FC record.

EDIT: OK there's only actually four and a half runs in it, but I still think Van Wyk deserves it more.

 

[SteveNZ]

Great keeping and a match saving knock against a rampant world class attack.

I won't take that innings away from him, but it was 39. He averages 24 - made a start nearly every innings and capitalised on..none of them.

Interesting lil story from a FC player who has played with him, who reckons van Wyk stands far too far back (partly for height) and as a result affects the slip cordon. If he plays, especially on slowish Windies wickets, it'll be something to watch.

 

[Mike5181]

I won't take that innings away from him, but it was 39. He averages 24 - made a start nearly every innings and capitalised on..none of them.

Interesting lil story from a FC player who has played with him, who reckons van Wyk stands far too far back (partly for height) and as a result affects the slip cordon. If he plays, especially on slowish Windies wickets, it'll be something to watch.

It's not a big deal either way really. It's noticeable how much Watling's improved so I'm reasonably confident he could perform if given the chance.

 

[straw man]

If Watling was fit enough to keep it would be pretty much a coin toss between him and Van Wyk imo. Previously I would have favoured Van Wyk but Watling does get some credit for scoring runs in ODIs and not looking hopeless against Narine - brings it up to 50/50. If you put a gun to my head I think I'd go for Van Wyk.... just.

Moot point though as it's hard to see Watling being fit enough to keep for five days and he loses out to Brownlie as specialist bat.

Still think Nethula has to be fitted in there somewhere if the wicket is going to be anything like West Indies' recent test wickets (not that I'm an expert on them).

Bracewell should just bat at 6 /trollBahnz

 

[_Ed_]

Oram, NcCullum and Bracewell dropped.

Nicol, Guptill, BMcCullum, Taylor, Williamson, Flynn, Latham, Ellis, Southee, Mills, Boult

 

[straw man]

Meh, dead rubber.

 

[BeeGee]

If Watling was fit enough to keep it would be pretty much a coin toss between him and Van Wyk imo. Previously I would have favoured Van Wyk but Watling does get some credit for scoring runs in ODIs and not looking hopeless against Narine - brings it up to 50/50. If you put a gun to my head I think I'd go for Van Wyk.... just.

Moot point though as it's hard to see Watling being fit enough to keep for five days and he loses out to Brownlie as specialist bat.

Still think Nethula has to be fitted in there somewhere if the wicket is going to be anything like West Indies' recent test wickets (not that I'm an expert on them).

Bracewell should just bat at 6 /trollBahnz

Van Wyk's keeping would have me picking him over Watling. I was rather disappointed with Watling's keeping in the ODIs.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I have been really impressed by Watling in the one day series, whether that would be enough to take the gloves in a test or not I am not too sure, having said that NZ aren't packed full of top class bats so maybe they could play Watling and Van Wyk in the same team with Watling playing as a batsman?

Least he is in form anyway.

 

[Flem274*]

If we go with the six bats and a keeper

Guptill*
McCullum
Flynn
Taylor
Williamson
Brownlie
Keeper

Is the strongest batting line up we can field barring Ryder's return. One of the keepers will miss out.

*Watling could conceivably open with McCullum, but I think NZ are pretty sold on him being a keeper now.

 

[Stumpcam]

Wow, big hit that was. New ball please.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Gayle must be distraught at getting out early like that seeing NZ's bowling lineup.

Where are NZ's 20 overs coming from?

 

[BeeGee]

Southee really is bowling beautifully in this series.

 

[_Ed_]

What a waste of a review. And without even consulting the non-striker first. Silly stuff.

 

[Flem274*]

I don't know why but there is something really satisfying about seeing the likes of Smith and Charles walking back to the pavillion for not many.

 

[BeeGee]

Southee really is bowling beautifully in this series.

Southee's bowling figures so far this ODI series:

35 overs, 161 runs, 9 wickets, econ. 4.6, average 17.9

 

[Mike5181]

16 overs gone and we have already had 5 overs of Nicol, Ellis and Flynn.