***Official*** Super Series

[greg]

given the selection for the game against Victoria it appears that the final XII (pretty much as we expected) will look something like this

Sehwag
Gayle
Kallis
Lara
Dravid/Pietersen
Flintoff
Sangakarra
Pollock
Akhtar
Murali
Ntini(Vettori)

Super Sub: Afridi
Seems a straight shoot out between Dravid or Pietersen for the last batting place, probably leaning towards Dravid. And Ntini or Vettori based on the track, from the comments its clear Flintoff was rested whilst Vettori was left out.

I am still struggling ot work out why Sangakarra was the ODI selection and Boucher the test selection. I haven't seen much Sri Lanka recently but is Sangakarra really the sort of player you want coming in at no7 with a brief for a rapid 30 or 40?

 

[Blaze]

I am still struggling ot work out why Sangakarra was the ODI selection and Boucher the test selection. I haven't seen much Sri Lanka recently but is Sangakarra really the sort of player you want coming in at no7 with a brief for a rapid 30 or 40?

The ideal keeper for a side like this is someone who does a similar job for their country. Someone like..i don't know......Brendan McCullum

 

[marc71178]

I doubt that.

Well they've already named a squad for the game with cover, so I don't think even 3 double centuries would change their mind.

 

[marc71178]

Given Gayle and Dravid were added late to the squad I would hope KP is ahead of both of them. I'd certainly have KP ahead of Dravid, especially as the side looks light on players who can hammer the attack in the late overs.

Gayle and KP aren't rivals for the same spot, so I could see Gayle playing and KP not (but the Dravid point is very true)

 

[marc71178]

The ideal keeper for a side like this is someone who does a similar job for their country. Someone like..i don't know......Brendan McCullum

What's his ratio of takes to drops like in ODIs?

Because in Tests he makes Geraint Jones look like Jack Russell!

 

[Blaze]

What's his ratio of takes to drops like in ODIs?

Because in Tests he makes Geraint Jones look like Jack Russell!

When did you last see him keep? IMO he is very tidy behind the stumps and doesn't drop too many. Has taken some absolute rippers as well.

 

[marc71178]

Did you see the Cricinfo article yesterday - he takes something like 71% of his chances in Tests, and Jones is at nearly 80.

 

[Blaze]

Did you see the Cricinfo article yesterday - he takes something like 71% of his chances in Tests, and Jones is at nearly 80.

Truely? I can't remember him dropping too many this year. It really depends on what they class as a chance I suppose. I mean some of Jones's in the Ashes were absolute sitters whereas McCullum might have dropped a few where he only got one hand or even a finger tip to the ball.

I am not saying this is definetly the case but I still believe McCullum is a good keeper and I would take him any day of the week over Jones. Ian Smith and Adam Parore speak highly of him. Sure they are NZers but they aren't so generous to all of our players.

 

[Dasa]

Given Gayle and Dravid were added late to the squad I would hope KP is ahead of both of them. I'd certainly have KP ahead of Dravid, especially as the side looks light on players who can hammer the attack in the late overs.

Dravid is more than capable of hammering runs in the last 10... he can score at S/Rs of over 150 in such situations, and has done so. However, I think a better selection would be Dravid at 3 (at the expense of Kallis) and KP in at 6.

 

[Dasa]

Truely? I can't remember him dropping too many this year. It really depends on what they class as a chance I suppose. I mean some of Jones's in the Ashes were absolute sitters whereas McCullum might have dropped a few where he only got one hand or even a finger tip to the ball.

I agree with that...having seen a lot of McCullum (most NZ games are televised here in Aus) and G.Jones, I'd say McCullum is the superior 'keeper at this point - he's improved a LOT while Jones has looked terrible at times. At any rate, last time McCullum batted at the Telstra Dome he did hammer some late runs and get NZ over the line.

 

[aussie]

Mate, the Super Test squad has been picked.

Marto isn't in it. End of story.

yea i know but what i'm hoping for is for Martyo to bat so well vs the R.O.W that it put pressure on the selectors to push him into the test sqaud for the super test & the test series vs WI. As for now without Martyn in the super-test i think Australia should pick 6 batsmen, leave out Watson & have a bowling attack of just McGrath/Lee/Warne/MacGill.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Predictions for the warm-up game against Victoria, people? Here's mine:

ICC World XI 338-6 (50 overs), Afridi 53, Lara 68, Pietersen 86; White 3-68

Victoria 177 (41.4 overs), Hodge 52; Pollock 3-29, Afridi 3-19

A bit precise, I know.

 

[Jono]

LOL Barney. If any of those predictions, whether they be the team's scores, batsmen's scores or bowler's figures come true (any single one) I'll fly over to the UK and shake your hand. That's pretty damn precise as you said, but seems about right too

 

[Barney Rubble]

LOL Barney. If any of those predictions, whether they be the team's scores, batsmen's scores or bowler's figures come true (any single one) I'll fly over to the UK and shake your hand. That's pretty damn precise as you said, but seems about right too

Well given some of my Ashes predictions, they'll either be spot on (England to win the series 2-1), or hilariously wrong (Ian Bell as England's top run-scorer). I await the match eagerly!

 

[jlo33692]

I am still struggling ot work out why Sangakarra was the ODI selection and Boucher the test selection. I haven't seen much Sri Lanka recently but is Sangakarra really the sort of player you want coming in at no7 with a brief for a rapid 30 or 40?

Yep good call Greg,they appear to have the selections assed about.
Dito with Sangakarra ,i havent seen heaps of him but what i did see he did not appear to be a 30 -40 quick fire runs man, Unless he has improved out of site i find the selection very strange,can understand if they were short a keeper but they have boucher there,Very odd selection IMO.He will probobly come out and bang a quick 50 odd runs in a few overs and leave us with egg on our faces ?hahaha

 

[jlo33692]

Yeah, i'm looking forward to see him play, i'm going to the Second ODI on Friday night.

Cameeel is that strauchanie as in Gordon? or is it someone else?

Sorry m8 i didnt get all your post in about strachanie ,still trying to work out how to do that.

 

[jlo33692]

The ideal keeper for a side like this is someone who does a similar job for their country. Someone like..i don't know......Brendan McCullum

Or Daniel Vettori ? but no biased there :LOL
Think you might be right with vettori bowling as he is primed i think and may be the surprise packet.
If memory serves right didnt he dominate in the recent Series for the Tsunammi victims?
IMO he is one of the most underrated players in the game and if warney and Muralli were in a different era he would be competing as the best spinner and batsman in world cricket.

 

[jlo33692]

Dravid is more than capable of hammering runs in the last 10... he can score at S/Rs of over 150 in such situations, and has done so. However, I think a better selection would be Dravid at 3 (at the expense of Kallis) and KP in at 6.

Dasa ,i cant agree with Kallis being omitted from the team,that guy has been the worlds best all rounder in the last year i wouldnt like to be making the selection but i know i would sqeeze him in for certain,he is the man!!!!

 

[jlo33692]

LOL Barney. If any of those predictions, whether they be the team's scores, batsmen's scores or bowler's figures come true (any single one) I'll fly over to the UK and shake your hand. That's pretty damn precise as you said, but seems about right too

Me to ,ill be at the back of jono and i will buy the pints, you may have some explaining to do if you go to sportsbet and give them this sumasion ,a definate case of match fixing if any of those get up LOL
You could be pretty much right with the scores though.

 

[greg]

Dasa ,i cant agree with Kallis being omitted from the team,that guy has been the worlds best all rounder in the last year i wouldnt like to be making the selection but i know i would sqeeze him in for certain,he is the man!!!!

I think that is somewhat open to debate.