Predict World Cup Semi Finalist

[Zinzan]

And IMPO, too...

I assume Pietersen would replace Strauss at no 4 and Strauss to move back up to open with Joyce or are they likely to persevere with Loye at the top of the order

 

[Richard]

Well given that Loye's not in the squad I'd imagine not...

My guess currently would be
Joyce
Vaughan
Bell
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
Nixon
Plunkett
Mahmood
Anderson
MSP

But that'll still be subject to change, I'd say.

And it's certainly not OOTQ that Strauss will play ahead of either Joyce or Bell.

 

[marc71178]

Really?

Why on Earth did they do so well?

They benefitted from a few calls which may have been slightly more politically motivated than FIFA would care to admit to.

However as a whole it added far more to the Tournament than it took away...

 

[Zinzan]

Well given that Loye's not in the squad I'd imagine not...

My guess currently would be
Joyce
Vaughan
Bell
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
Nixon
Plunkett
Mahmood
Anderson
MSP

But that'll still be subject to change, I'd say.

And it's certainly not OOTQ that Strauss will play ahead of either Joyce or Bell.

I forgot about Vaughan at the top...Like you, I certainly rate both Joyce and Bell ahead of Strauss in ODIs.
More than a useful side that.

 

[Richard]

The top 3, the tail and the entire specialist-bowler line-up don't exactly fill me with confidence... nor the wicketkeeper\batsman, TBH...

 

[Zinzan]

The top 3, the tail and the entire specialist-bowler line-up don't exactly fill me with confidence... nor the wicketkeeper\batsman, TBH...

Don't worry, I have still have similar reservations of our likely 11 ....

Vincent
Fleming
Taylor
Fulton
Oram
Mcmillan
McCullum
Vettori
Franklin (Patel on a spinners deck)
Gilliespie
Bond

but you never know

 

[Richard]

Taylor, Bond and Vettori don't fill you with confidence?

They sure do me!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The presence of Franklin negates the confidence in Bond, IMO.

 

[Zinzan]

Taylor, Bond and Vettori don't fill you with confidence?

They sure do me!

Sorry, I wasn't clear, I mean't I still have reservations, not the same as you do with your team Franklin is so easy to hit if the ball isn't swinging and even Gillespie hasn't convinced me yet. We (NZ fans) will just be praying that we can consistently get a good 10 overs out of Oram

 

[Zinzan]

The presence of Franklin negates the confidence in Bond, IMO.

Fair comment that...we are really missing Mills opening up with Bondy

 

[Tim]

Franklin will put in one good bowling performance over 4 or 5 games. Its absolutely gutting we don't have Mills there because he's turned into a pretty consistent opening bowler.
Though I'd rather take Franklin over Tuffey as I think both of them are equal with the ball right now but Franklin offers more with the bat.

 

[Evermind]

Franklin will put in one good bowling performance over 4 or 5 games. Its absolutely gutting we don't have Mills there because he's turned into a pretty consistent opening bowler.
Though I'd rather take Franklin over Tuffey as I think both of them are equal with the ball right now but Franklin offers more with the bat.

Why not Styris in for Franklin or Gillespie? He's got a batting average of 28.8 and a bowling average better than either's. He's also vastly more experienced. If Franklin doesn't play, Gillespie can open the bowling and vice versa. This would also mean that NZ have a tail of 1 - Bond, and with a batting average of 15.23, he's no bunny.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Why not Styris in for Franklin or Gillespie? He's got a batting average of 28.8 and a bowling average better than either's. He's also vastly more experienced. If Franklin doesn't play, Gillespie can open the bowling and vice versa. This would also mean that NZ have a tail of 1 - Bond, and with a batting average of 15.23, he's no bunny.

You mean something like this?

Vincent...............bat
Fleming..............bat
Taylor................bat
Fulton................bat
Styris................bat/bowl
Oram.................bat/bowl
McMillan............bat/bowl
McCullum..........bat/keep
Vettori...............bat/bowl
Franklin.............bat/bowl
Bond.................bowl

That only gives us 6 bowlers to get through 50. Bond and Vettori ofcourse will bowl there 10 everytime leaving 30 between Franklin, Oram, Styris, McMillan.
I really think we only need 2 out of Fulton, Styris, McMillan. Yes, with all of them in there we bat to 10. But Franklin gets whacked around more than not, and since coming back from injury Styris and Oram (except for one game) havent been too flash with the ball. And McMillan is nothing more than a part timer (Styris going that way aswell)

Probably one of the longest batting line-ups possible in world cricket, but do we really need it that long? At the expense of the bowling?

 

[Zinzan]

You mean something like this?

Vincent...............bat
Fleming..............bat
Taylor................bat
Fulton................bat
Styris................bat/bowl
Oram.................bat/bowl
McMillan............bat/bowl
McCullum..........bat/keep
Vettori...............bat/bowl
Franklin.............bat/bowl
Bond.................bowl

That only gives us 6 bowlers to get through 50. Bond and Vettori ofcourse will bowl there 10 everytime leaving 30 between Franklin, Oram, Styris, McMillan.
I really think we only need 2 out of Fulton, Styris, McMillan. Yes, with all of them in there we bat to 10. But Franklin gets whacked around more than not, and since coming back from injury Styris and Oram (except for one game) havent been too flash with the ball. And McMillan is nothing more than a part timer (Styris going that way aswell)

Probably one of the longest batting line-ups possible in world cricket, but do we really need it that long? At the expense of the bowling?

I agree, not a worth the sacrifice unless its obvious before a given game that its going to be really slow and low, then the likes of Styris and Mcmillan may be more than useful, although having said that, you'd probably be better with the two spinners Vettori and Patel if that was the case anyways. At this stage, you'd have to say Macca and Fulton have pushed Styris out, who would have thought that 2 weeks ago ??

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

I agree, not a worth the sacrifice unless its obvious before a given game that its going to be really slow and low, then the likes of Styris and Mcmillan may be more than useful, although having said that, you'd probably be better with the two spinners Vettori and Patel if that was the case anyways. At this stage, you'd have to say Macca and Fulton have pushed Styris out, who would have thought that 2 weeks ago ??

Yeah, who woulda thunk it.
I still think Styris will have a part to play in the WC. His bowling could come in handy. And with Oram likely not playing the group matches he still has a chance to show his all-round worth.

On a slow and low one, id say Patel over Gillespie. Franklin has his batting going for him, but could negate the efforts of the slower bowlers on such a pitch. Even then, a bowling attack with Vettori, Patel, Styris, McMillan on a real slow one is an interesting idea.

 

[Zinzan]

Yeah, who woulda thunk it.
I still think Styris will have a part to play in the WC. His bowling could come in handy. And with Oram likely not playing the group matches he still has a chance to show his all-round worth.

On a slow and low one, id say Patel over Gillespie. Franklin has his batting going for him, but could negate the efforts of the slower bowlers on such a pitch. Even then, a bowling attack with Vettori, Patel, Styris, McMillan on a real slow one is an interesting idea.

I'm pretty sure Oram will be fit for the English game now. The broken bone wasn't nearly as bad as they first suspected

 

[Perm]

I'm pretty sure Oram will be fit for the English game now. The broken bone wasn't nearly as bad as they first suspected

Think you'll find that Oram is going to be playing in the WC and will have an operation afterwards to get his finger sorted, doubt we'll see him in both the games against the minnows though. Hopefully he plays one of them though just so he can get some game time under his belt.

 

[Richard]

The presence of Franklin negates the confidence in Bond, IMO.

All the more reason to leave him out, TBH...

How on Earth has he played as many ODIs as he has?

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

All the more reason to leave him out, TBH...

How on Earth has he played as many ODIs as he has?

Because apparently his batting skills at 8-9 are worth his 10overs going for 60 plus

He should stick to Test cricket for my mind

 

[Scaly piscine]

Because apparently his batting skills at 8-9 are worth his 10overs going for 60 plus

He should stick to Test cricket for my mind

Meh you realise you're breaking up Motson's World Cup 2007 subforum last post monoply here.