*Official* NZ Domestic Season

[Natman20]

Against Zimbabwe you could use a batsman to bowl or a bowler to bat

 

[Natman20]

Does anyone agree with me when I say Sinclair should be the Langer of NZ test cricket?
(Plays tests not ODIs for those of you out to sea)

 

[Autobahn]

Well at the moment i think most captains see the all-rounder as the safer but less effective option, because the suber-sub would not be a true-allrounder but either a batting or bowling all-rounder.

Putting a specialist as the SS is a big gamble but one that has a bigger potential reward if you get it right.

 

[Prince EWS]

Does anyone agree with me when I say Sinclair should be the Langer of NZ test cricket?
(Plays tests not ODIs for those of you out to sea)

I completely agree. Sinclair is a fine test batsman - his confidence, form and selection have all been hampered by one day cricket. He shouldnt be anywhere near the one day side, but I'd have him in the test side for sure.

 

[Natman20]

Styris is my choice of super-sub. A good batsman and would be a handy bowler if we needed one mainly to slow down economy rate and take wickets. He would be my perfect candidate. Harris also fits in to the super sub role in my opinion. A specialist in one area but handy in the other. If you are in trouble it probably means the run rate is to high so that is why I choose Styris as he can keep it down. Probably....

 

[Tim]

There are 2 players in NZ's domestic scene who average well above the rest in terms of runs scored. They are Sinclair & Harris. They both average around 45.

Now you just have to wonder what went wrong, as these 2 have remarkable records for NZ conditions. There is still time for Sinclair but Harris is a bit of a lost cause now.
Sinclair can be frustrating...but on his day, he is unbelievable to watch. I just wish he'd do it a bit more consistently when he gets his chance with the Black Caps.

 

[Blaze]

I completely agree. Sinclair is a fine test batsman - his confidence, form and selection have all been hampered by one day cricket. He shouldnt be anywhere near the one day side, but I'd have him in the test side for sure.

The same could be said about McMillan.


What would be your top 7?

I would like to see Sinclair in there as well but there are a number of players competing for spots in the middle order and I wouldn't want to see any of them open other than Styris.

My top 7 (always changing)

1) How
2) Styris
3)
4) Fleming (both he and Bracewell have said that this is where he will bat)

Now this is where it gets tricky for me.

There are 3 spots. 3, 5, 6 avaliable for - H Marshall, Sinclair, Astle, Vincent, Fulton and McMillan

Vincent is coming off a double century against Sri Lanka so won't get dropped and will probably bat 6.

Marshall and Sinclair are fighting for the number 3 spot IMO. Marshall will get it because the selectors don't like Sinclair but I know who I would prefer.

Astle, McMillan and Fulton are all playing for one position. I would go for Fulton. He is the younger of the 3 and deserves his chance.

Oram will obviously bat 7 if he is fit.

So my top 7

1) J How
2) S Styris
3) M Sinclair
4) S Fleming
5) P Fulton
6) L Vincent
7) J Oram

In reality the selectors will never select Styris to open. I think we are more likely to see-

1) J How
2) J Marshall
3) H Marshall
4) S Fleming
5) S Styris
6) N Astle
7) J Oram

 

[Prince EWS]

The same could be said about McMillan.

McMillan has been dismissed playing some rediculous shots in test cricket though. He has the talent - he just doesnt quite have the mental strength IMO. Sinclair, on the other hand, has just been unlucky. The selectors' insistance to play him in both or neither forms hampered his form, temperment and possibly even his technique.

What would be your top 7?

I would like to see Sinclair in there as well but there are a number of players competing for spots in the middle order and I wouldn't want to see any of them open other than Styris.

My top 7 (always changing)

1) How
2) Styris
3)
4) Fleming (both he and Bracewell have said that this is where he will bat)

Now this is where it gets tricky for me.

There are 3 spots. 3, 5, 6 avaliable for - H Marshall, Sinclair, Astle, Vincent, Fulton and McMillan

Vincent is coming off a double century against Sri Lanka so won't get dropped and will probably bat 6.

Marshall and Sinclair are fighting for the number 3 spot IMO. Marshall will get it because the selectors don't like Sinclair but I know who I would prefer.

Astle, McMillan and Fulton are all playing for one position. I would go for Fulton. He is the younger of the 3 and deserves his chance.

Oram will obviously bat 7 if he is fit.

So my top 7

1) J How
2) S Styris
3) M Sinclair
4) S Fleming
5) P Fulton
6) L Vincent
7) J Oram

Im shocked to see someone actually agrees with my thought on opening with Styris. I mentioned it in another thread and it was completely trashed. Anyway, in regard to the "what is my top 7" question, I'd go with the exact same top 7 that you posted. From what I've seen of Sinclair's technique over his career, he has a far better chance of succeeding at #3 than Hamish Marshall.

1. Jamie How
2. Scott Styris
3. Mathew Sinclair
4. Stephen Fleming
5. Peter Fulton
6. Lou Vincent
7. Jacob Oram

Hamish Marshall would be putting pressure on Sinclair, Fulton and Vincent to perform though. He still has a good test record after all.

 

[_Ed_]

Now that you have both mentioned it, Styris would be a good test opener. He has the right mental approach to test batting, and has shown his capability against the new ball with his 170 against South Africa, when he came in with the score at two down for (I think) less than 10.

 

[Blaze]

Well the way I see it somebody has to open and Styris is the only guy I can see who could possibly succeed. I am not saying that he will but I have a feeling that he might.

Of course, the selectors would never go for something like that, and so James Marshall or some one like that will be opening the batting and another quality middle order player will miss out.

Astle, McMillan, Sinclair and either Fulton or Vincent are likely to miss out completly.

 

[Prince EWS]

Now that you have both mentioned it, Styris would be a good test opener. He has the right mental approach to test batting, and has shown his capability against the new ball with his 170 against South Africa, when he came in with the score at two down for (I think) less than 10.

Why didnt anyone agree with me when I brought it up before though?? It was completely flamed and thrown out the window by virtually everyone at the time.

 

[_Ed_]

Why didnt anyone agree with me when I brought it up before though?? It was completely flamed and thrown out the window by virtually everyone at the time.

That is a bit strange. I must have missed your post, don't remember seeing it.

 

[Ming]

I can guarantee you Vincent won't be dropped from the WI series Test side.

 

[Darrin]

Well at the moment i think most captains see the all-rounder as the safer but less effective option, because the suber-sub would not be a true-allrounder but either a batting or bowling all-rounder.

Putting a specialist as the SS is a big gamble but one that has a bigger potential reward if you get it right.

I think you summarised it well.

 

[Blaze]

I can guarantee you Vincent won't be dropped from the WI series Test side.

No you can't.

 

[cric_manic]

No you can't.

Oh,comon you know they wont drop Vincent

 

[Blaze]

Oh,comon you know they wont drop Vincent

They might, who knows with the NZ selectors.

 

[Natman20]

They might, who knows with the NZ selectors.

Going on recent form. No. Anyway it takes NZ cricket about 6 months to decide to drop someone

 

[Sir Redman]

Going on recent form. No. Anyway it takes NZ cricket about 6 months to decide to drop someone

No, what seems to matter is whether they're one of "the boys".

McMillan was. Sinclair wasn't.

 

[Sir Redman]

Why didnt anyone agree with me when I brought it up before though?? It was completely flamed and thrown out the window by virtually everyone at the time.

I seem to remember that it was only a couple who through it out the window. Most people thought it was a reasonable idea - I'll admit that I'd never thought of it.