State Shield

[Tim]

Half that commentary team is on the gravy train....I mean Grant Nisbett hardly knows whats going on but I bet he comes with a reasonable price tag just because he's supposedly one of the top rugby commentators in NZ.

If they cut just 1 commentator they could afford to run a speed-gun & i'd prefer that over hearing Grant Nisbett constantly correcting himself after making an insightful comment.

 

[Kent]

Which reminds me, how's that Pakistan v. India series coming along, Marty? Even if it's PPV like they have for boxing, I don't care. Oh right, the Super 12's on.

Great.

I hope every Kiwi on here makes sure they e-mail Sky or phone up about that.

 

[Mingster]

Brad Scott is medium-pace, just like Schwass. Having seen them on TV and comparing them to Mills, they look a notch slower.

Kent, to be frank, teh whole Sky commentary is pretty boring and second-rate compared to the lively Channel 9's!

Ian Smith is an exception, and Coney and Crowe just yaps on everything they see wrong and yap on it for the hour. Paroae is soon beginning his own phrase, "No doubts about that", "No mistake about that". boring....

They must get Bryan Waddle or even Peter Sharpe or even John Morrison to AT LEAST add some spice to the commentary. Because its boring and annoying me to death. Sorry, end of rant.

 

[Mingster]

Thats why I think despite the fact that Sherlock hasn't been playing for C.D...the South team may elect to pick him to liven their attack up a bit.

I think they'll go with Chris Martin, Bradley Scott, Andrew Schwass & maybe Stephen Cunis...or something like that.

Is Walmsley available?

Personally if this North v South fixture doesn't give many of the performing North Island bowlers the chance to shine. Namely, Mason, Canning, Aldridge, Franklin etc. They won't get the chance in the North Island team with Butler, Tuffey, Mills, Oram, Cairns there. While the South Island lacks any NZ reps at all.

They should make some let-offs to promote the game.

 

[Kent]

Peter Sharpe add spice?!

He says he would add spice, not to say that the current commentators aren't adding spice, because well, because of course they are, but suffice to say he'd enjoy the opportunity, to add spice, if that opportunity were to arise....

 

[Mingster]

When I mean spice...I mean actually talking in a voice hearable and not some primary-school teacher voice by Danny OR a sleepy voice by Adam.

Ah Peter would at least add some flair then.

 

[Tim]

I used to like listening to Glenn Turner & John Morrison...people will say they're old hands but they made sense in what they were saying & they were able to analyse the game well.
But the last thing Martin Crowe wants is a Dads Army..

 

[Tim]

Walmsley first played for Auckland so he qualifies for North Island.

Look, if the selectors want a trial match..the best option would be to make 'A' & 'B' teams & purposefully put players like Cairns & Oram in opposite teams...that way at least both sides will have good bowling attacks rather than what we're possibly going to see with the South Island team.

Having players in the same team who really should be going head to head is no use if they're wanting to make a trial fixture.
Im hoping the final will be in Christchurch because i'll be down there next week.

 

[Mingster]

Will the final be played at Hagley Oval or Jade Stadium?

 

[Tim]

I hope its at Hagley...nice grass area down there, rather than bucket seats at Jade.

Canterbury will be very tough to beat on Friday though....Astle, Cairns, McMillan, Harris, Fulton, Papps, McCullum...thats an outstanding lineup.

 

[Kent]

Glen Turner could become a bit of a curmudgeon at times. No doubt he'd be more perceptive and articulate than 'whackididoo', but the word 'good' doesn't hurt anyone occasionally.

Mystery I'm not a big fan of. He's got a pleasant manner about him, but you still can't have a guy who averaged 23 in tests bemoaning the current team for "embracing mediocrity", or saying Papps has been "too in and out" this season! :O

 

[Kent]

Speaking of in and out, is McIntosh playing himself out of the England tour, or can nothing be read into one-dayers?

I heard Hadlee suggest he wasn't overly impressed by his season, his stand-outs being Papps and Fulton only.

 

[Tim]

I think McIntosh is going to end up like Richardson....it appears as though he just can't score runs quickly enough in the 50 over format.

But I wouldn't write him off totally, if he can score another couple of hundreds in the State Championship this season then he can probably say he's had a good follow up to his success of last season.

But there's no doubt that he's fallen out of favour with the rise of Michael Papps & he'll have to work pretty hard to get back to the top. Which is good, this is exactly what needs to be seen in domestic cricket so that the national team remains strong.

 

[anzac]

Walmsley first played for Auckland so he qualifies for North Island.

Look, if the selectors want a trial match..the best option would be to make 'A' & 'B' teams & purposefully put players like Cairns & Oram in opposite teams...that way at least both sides will have good bowling attacks rather than what we're possibly going to see with the South Island team.

Having players in the same team who really should be going head to head is no use if they're wanting to make a trial fixture.
Im hoping the final will be in Christchurch because i'll be down there next week.

as I said earlier........

rest the established Black Caps unless out of form or back from injury,
make it a 3 match series
use the 1st 2 matches to sort out the domestic depth / talent / contenders
with the last being a one off with the internationals available as a possible / probables etc & mix the teams up to ensure head to head confrontations

8D

 

[anzac]

I think McIntosh is going to end up like Richardson....it appears as though he just can't score runs quickly enough in the 50 over format.

But I wouldn't write him off totally, if he can score another couple of hundreds in the State Championship this season then he can probably say he's had a good follow up to his success of last season.

But there's no doubt that he's fallen out of favour with the rise of Michael Papps & he'll have to work pretty hard to get back to the top. Which is good, this is exactly what needs to be seen in domestic cricket so that the national team remains strong.

agreed..........

Papps & Fulton have an advantage in that they have had consistant success this season in both forms of the game, whereas McIntosh is really a specialist in the longer game........and ATM I'd say he's only in the Auckland team as cover for Vincent.......

a few good innings back in the Championship and he's still a contender - but not perhaps for England unless Richardson is injured, as I do not think they will be taking too many new batsmen on tour............& Papps & Fulton would be ahead of him ........he may need to wait until Richardson retires / injured / falls from grace etc ........