**Official** New Zealand in West Indies

[AndyZaltzHair]

That was a big wicket at this late stage, probably last over

 

[Hurricane]

Guptil's wicket was the one which hurt. Watling was looking like a gimp.

 

[Kippax]

A cruel blow to Watling's reinvention this match, making him revisit the opening position and let the cricket world say 'you're still ****!' right to his face.

Giving hard hands McCullum a bit of shelter against Roach/Best/the Duke isn't that stupid, in India it probably will be if we want our keeper or Vettori at 6. Hopefully McC lobbying through his manager to open hasn't encouraged a deranged 'David Schwimmer in Band of Brothers' response from Ross, trying to make an aspiring **** heel at all costs.

 

[NasserFan207]

This match is set up nicely. Terrible batting performance from WI apart from Samuels, though from what I saw NZ bowled well, Boult in particular. Really need Gayle and Chanderpaul to fire in the 2nd innings.

 

[Days of Grace]

I don't think the issue is whether we have 3 or 4 seamers; the problem lies in having 3 seamers with Martin being one of them. Can't afford for the old warhorse to be holding back these youngsters anymore.

Guptill
Flynn
McCullum
Taylor
Williamson
Vettori
Van Wyk (wk)
Bracewell
Wagner
Southee
Boult

Four seamers plus Vettori version. Can drop one of the seamers for either another spinner (who exactly?) or a batsman (who if not Brownlee?). Tail also looks a lot stronger now.

Batting will rely on Guptill, McCullum, Taylor and Williamson scoring big runs, which is what they're supposed to do, FFS.

 

[Kippax]

You have to hope this is one of the very rare times NZ gets away with using a nightwatchman and the scoreboard pressure (or the 'you're flailing violently in between making like a hedgehog tucked into a ball, you're making me so nerrrrvous!' vibe) doesn't contribute in any way to a .

Challenge for someone who's good with Statsguru there.

 

[Flametree]

I don't think the issue is whether we have 3 or 4 seamers; the problem lies in having 3 seamers with Martin being one of them. Can't afford for the old warhorse to be holding back these youngsters anymore.

Guptill
Flynn
McCullum
Taylor
Williamson
Vettori
Van Wyk (wk)
Bracewell
Wagner
Southee
Boult

Four seamers plus Vettori version. Can drop one of the seamers for either another spinner (who exactly?) or a batsman (who if not Brownlee?). Tail also looks a lot stronger now.

Batting will rely on Guptill, McCullum, Taylor and Williamson scoring big runs, which is what they're supposed to do, FFS.

Yeah, getting rid of Martin solidifies the tail a bit which makes Vettori at 6 an ok option, even if he doesn't look much like averaging 40 again anytime soon.... Having said that, I'd probably take Gillespie over Southee in most line-ups. Think he'd have a good role to play in a four-man seam attack.

And any selection with four seamers may need to factor in being without Taylor about once every five games, since the over-rate will be atrocious.

 

[Scaly piscine]

West Indies was one of the few places where New Zealand could conceivably select 3 specialist bowlers plus Vettori. By and large they have to pick 4 specialist bowlers. Apparently by default (ie all the spinners are ****e) that means 4 seamers.

You're better off having a strong bowling attack and hoping your batsmen and tailenders can cobble together a passable total than screwing up your strength to make your weakness ever so slightly less weak. I've advocated NZ going 4 specialists with none of them being Martin for a while now.

 

[Flem274*]

**** yeah NZ.

Vettori has to bat in the top six if he wants to play now. This is twice we've skittled the opposition in his absence and it looks very bad for his "bowling".

 

[thierry henry]

I don't even think I need to say what you're all expecting me to say, right?

 

[wellAlbidarned]

We've all jumped on already don't worry

 

[Prince EWS]

Watling doesn't look a Test opener right now - can't even begin to describe that shot (fend? waft? fiddle? flirt? prod? nibble? none of them seem to suit...) that Powell's just spilled.

Yeah; that's why the hierarchy have decided to turn him into a lower middle order wicket keeper. He's opening out of necessity here because Flynn and Vettori are both injured.

 

[Hurricane]

Yeah; that's why the hierarchy have decided to turn him into a lower middle order wicket keeper. He's opening out of necessity here because Flynn and Vettori are both injured.

what are you saying here - if Vettori had played McCullum would have opened? Williamson to 3?

 

[Flem274*]

Apparently there is a massive amount of rain forecast.

Why am I not surprised?

2 test series ftl.

 

[Hurricane]

Link to forecast?

 

[Prince EWS]

what are you saying here - if Vettori had played McCullum would have opened? Williamson to 3?

It's definitely a possibility IMO.

 

[Kippax]

Met Service of Jamaica Online

 

[straw man]

Boult This four-man pace attack could be gun, with Gillespie still hanging around and a couple more like Henry and Small with potential to come through as well.

Woke up this morning and we were 0 down batting - just knew we'd lose 2 or 3 right before stumps. Agree with others that it's a bit of bad luck for Watling having to open again.

If the weather's bad days 4 & 5 then we'll need to go a long way towards winning the match tomorrow. Taylor has 126 runs at 42 this series without making any mark at all - a quick hundred from him tomorrow would do the trick. I doubt we'll manage to bat more than 2 more sessions for a lead of 250 ish, which is gettable but gives us a good shout. Then need quick wickets in third session tomorrow.

Am sure we haven't seen Vettori's last test, but have we seen Martin's? If I was him I'd be considering stepping aside and retiring about now. Being dropped is a slightly sad way to end it but he still has plenty to be proud of.

 

[Hurricane]

Yeah; that's why the hierarchy have decided to turn him into a lower middle order wicket keeper. He's opening out of necessity here because Flynn and Vettori are both injured.

I wonder if Watling on retrospect should have said I am more comfortable at 6. And made everyone go up one position.

 

[Mike5181]

It's good to see Wagner come back and collect some decent figures. He bowled really well to keep the pressure on after that awesome first spell from Trent Boult.