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**Official** Pakistan v New Zealand in the UAE 2014

Bahnz

Bahnz

Hall of Fame Member
That's ridiculous value on Watling given that he's been one of our 3 highest run scorers in 6 out of his last 9 innings away from home.
 
Kippax

Kippax

Cricketer Of The Year
Extends even further back to 10/15 for away innings (not that Eng and SA are really the conditions we're after here). Just 1/15 were the highest score.

Relishes the role of Eric, a very reluctant Vince.
 
BeeGee

BeeGee

International Captain
Pakistan v New Zealand 2014-15 : Mark Craig hopes for spin impact | Cricket News | Pakistan v New Zealand | ESPN Cricinfo

Obviously there are a couple of good spinners with Ish and myself.
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I wouldn't call it that obvious, mate, but I applaud your optimism.

Although, I'd have to say, our spinners ripping through the Pakistan batsmen would be the greatest thing to happen in the history of cricket. It isn't going to happen, though. The best we could hope for is if they keep it tight with the odd bonus wicket while we wait for the new ball.
 
smash84

smash84

The Tiger King
BeeGee said:
Pakistan v New Zealand 2014-15 : Mark Craig hopes for spin impact | Cricket News | Pakistan v New Zealand | ESPN Cricinfo



I wouldn't call it that obvious, mate, but I applaud your optimism.

Although, I'd have to say, our spinners ripping through the Pakistan batsmen would be the greatest thing to happen in the history of cricket. It isn't going to happen, though. The best we could hope for is if they keep it tight with the odd bonus wicket while we wait for the new ball.
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Haha, dude. This isn't as far fetched as you think. **** spinners like Imran Tahir have bamboozled the crap out of our (usually) pathetic batting. He got something like 5 for 20 odd or so. So yeah, NZ spinners can certainly do well.
 
Kippax

Kippax

Cricketer Of The Year
Quite like Craig's optimism there, and I'd agree it's coming out nicely for him. Not falling into the self-deprecation trap demanded of all our spinner wannabes.

Tim Johnston, on the other hand. What a way to make a living...


Barely getting by. It's all taking and no giving.
 
Kippax

Kippax

Cricketer Of The Year
Cricket: Williamson tests new action - Cricket - NZ Herald News

Kane Williamson's new bowling action has been unveiled in training ahead of New Zealand's opening test against Pakistan starting tomorrow night.

The off-spinner is banned from bowling in the current series because he hasn't been re-tested by the International Cricket Council.

However, the instinctive impression is that his action looks more orthodox and he should have few troubles passing his exam.

Williamson's front arm appeared higher, he's more side-on and looks like he's using his fingers more than his elbow to impart spin and bring the angle at the point of delivery to less than the cricketing limit of 15 degrees.

"I believe it's improving," Williamson said, but wasn't privy to say the date he'll be tested. It's expected to be shortly after the current series.

Meanwhile, at training, the New Zealanders sampled the conditions they'll endure in the opening test.

Judging by the dry surface, the pitch could resemble a piece of overcooked wholegrain toast after a couple of days. Selecting two spinners appears mandatory.

Williamson said they're onto specifics.

"We need to work out early whether it's spinning and bouncing or just low, slow turn. If it's bouncing, sometimes cross bat shots can be good off the back foot. If it's skiddy, the straighter bat shots are useful. It's important not to judge yourself too harshly on a foreign surface while you adjust."

The New Zealand training took place in a pleasant atmosphere with a temperature in the high 20s and a zephyr flitting across the Sheikh Zayed test ground.

However, golden orbs are forecast for at least the first three days. Add in a fading breeze and a desert cauldron could be manufactured where hydration and fitness will play crucial roles.

Andrew Alderson travelled to the UAE courtesy of Emirates.
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Kippax

Kippax

Cricketer Of The Year
Kippax said:
When was the last time Rutherford actually batted in red ball cricket? Hesson and McCullum are preparation kings; they'll look out for any young farmer who's as close to bankruptcy as Rutherford is. Lock McCullum in here.
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Kippax

Kippax

Cricketer Of The Year
Cricket: McCullum back to open batting for NZ - Sport - NZ Herald News

Brendon McCullum will return to open the batting for New Zealand in the first cricket test against Pakistan starting tonight (NZT).

The decision has been made to accommodate all-rounders Corey Anderson and Jimmy Neesham in the starting XI and means incumbent opener Hamish Rutherford misses out.

McCullum has recently enjoyed the richest vein of form in his 87-test career from the middle order, averaging 48.82 in his most recent 15 tests.

New Zealand will play just two specialist pace bowlers, Tim Southee and Trent Boult, to allow them to include spinners Mark Craig and Ish Sodhi.

McCullum officially ceased opening in January 2013 against South Africa, but had a cameo filling in for an ill Rutherford in one West Indies test.


He averages 34.60 in 17 tests as an opener compared to 37.10 overall. However, on the sub-continent that average rockets to 44.75 in seven tests, partly boosted by his 225 in Hyderabad during 2010.

"This is a horses-for-courses approach," McCullum said. "For us to have the extra bowling option [of another all-rounder], it was the best choice available. We've got six bowling options and go in with a better opportunity to take 20 wickets.

"Pakistan are going to be a formidable team in these conditions. Bolstering our bowling means one spinner [Sodhi] takes the ball away from their right-handers and another [Craig] takes it away from their left-handers. In addition to those options, we've got two bowlers capable of pitching it up and swinging it late in Tim [Southee] and Trent [Boult]. We've also got a number of left-right batting combinations in the [batting] order.

"I've opened before and had some success in the sub-continent. You do what's required to give the best chance of winning. I'm looking forward to batting with Tom [Latham]. He's an exciting young talent who's measured at the crease."

New Zealand XI: Brendon McCullum (c), Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Jimmy Neesham, B-J Watling, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Mark Craig, Trent Boult.
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D

Dan

Hall of Fame Member
Yesssss.

Anderson is way too high at 5, but Baz opening and no Rutherford is a win for cricket as a whole.
 
Kippax

Kippax

Cricketer Of The Year
Well, can we trust Alderson's order. Putting Craig (a conscientious and not untalented left-hander) at 10 seems like craziness.
 
Athlai

Athlai

Not Terrible
Rod Latham being fit to play is ITSTL. Still better than Rutherford.

McCullum
Latham
Williamson
Taylor
Anderson
Watling (+)
Neesham
Southee
Sodhi
Craig
Boult
 
Kippax

Kippax

Cricketer Of The Year
Stop putting Craig at 10, ****s. Just a flat-out better bat than those other two.

 
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