2nd Test: West Indies v New Zealand at Port of Spain Jun 16-20, 2014

[vvvrulz]

It will take a miracle from here to save it let alone win it.
But then again this is the West Indies, they are capable of blowing a run chase of 50

 

[Rod]

Taylor was just given out caught behind and reviewed it. None of the normal technologies such as hot spot or snicko were used. What hope are you of getting a caught behind overturned with only the normal footage to rely on? Bizarre.

In any event we are 5 down and in trouble now.

 

[edabomb]

Watling is the only batsmen we have that can consistently adjust his game and tempo to the situation of the game. It has been a massive problem for NZ batsmen as long as I have followed them.

 

[Timbo]

Mark Craig looked a bit ordinary this time around. I think you'd have been better served with Wagner tbh.

Down to earth with a thud here. That opening slot is proving a real issue for you blokes. Sides know they've basically got a free wicket straight up. I think McCullum to open and Ryder to five is your only legitimate move at this point if you want to see any real difference.

 

[TheParraboy]

I wouldn't discount NZ yet, if the final two wickets can get around another 80 or 90 today, the WI would make a meal chasing anything over 100 on the last day

 

[JJ]

Mark Craig looked a bit ordinary this time around. I think you'd have been better served with Wagner tbh.

Down to earth with a thud here. That opening slot is proving a real issue for you blokes. Sides know they've basically got a free wicket straight up. I think McCullum to open and Ryder to five is your only legitimate move at this point if you want to see any real difference.

PB, we're f**ked...

Mark Craig is ordinary, so is Sodhi, and Rutherford and Fulton are worse than ordinary. Ryder cannot be let anywhere near the team again, he's just too much of a dick.

As before, there are a few players who could do better in the opening spot - Flynn and Papps are obvious ones, and if they can return to Fulton, I am not seeing why they can't be used - Papps got hit by Brett Lee once at high 150kph, and this story that he's hopeless against short pitched stuff has never gone away - he's better than Rutherford and Fulton combined... There are a few young ones about too, and obviously Guptill...

McCullum is also a problem, he could open, and I guess that would mean Anderson and Neesham in the same team - which could be interesting. But I think he will stay at 5

 

[vvvrulz]

Mark Craig is ordinary, so is Sodhi, and Rutherford and Fulton are worse than ordinary. Ryder cannot be let anywhere near the team again, he's just too much of a dick.

As before, there are a few players who could do better in the opening spot - Flynn and Papps are obvious ones, and if they can return to Fulton, I am not seeing why they can't be used - Papps got hit by Brett Lee once at high 150kph, and this story that he's hopeless against short pitched stuff has never gone away - he's better than Rutherford and Fulton combined... There are a few young ones about too, and obviously Guptill...

Agree with all of that, Papps is very under looked if you consider the bucket of runs he produces domestically. Even Sehwag has copped a few Brett Lee bouncers.

Latham, Flynn, Papps, Guptill, Ryder, McCullum ... all better openers than Fulton and Rutherford.

The love for Rutherford is particularly odd, apart from that debut century he's been basically crap in every single test since. Looks clueless unless given juicy wide deliveries he can drive.

Craig I think might end up being a one hit wonder, for me Wagner is our permanent third seamer and an automatic pick.

 

[vvvrulz]

But call me crazy... if Watling and the last two hang around and cook up a target of 100-150, there would be a few nerves chasing that down. And the West Indies are capable of blowing anything.

We finally have genuine wicket takers and Craig/Boult are no mugs with the bat.

 

[JJ]

Chris Gayle fixed that :lol:

 

[vvvrulz]

Chris Gayle fixed that :lol:

:lol: I guess he had to fire some time, might as well be with a target of 95.

 

[Iafeta]

Agree with all of that, Papps is very under looked if you consider the bucket of runs he produces domestically. Even Sehwag has copped a few Brett Lee bouncers.

Latham, Flynn, Papps, Guptill, Ryder, McCullum ... all better openers than Fulton and Rutherford.

The love for Rutherford is particularly odd, apart from that debut century he's been basically crap in every single test since. Looks clueless unless given juicy wide deliveries he can drive.

Craig I think might end up being a one hit wonder, for me Wagner is our permanent third seamer and an automatic pick.

Flynn should never play test cricket again. Ordinary bludger.

Papps should be recalled. Who else is going around of any decent quality in NZ Cricket? Jeet Raval looks to have a decent record. Is he any good? I see Dean Brownlie has seen the light that there is a huge opportunity opening. He's moving to ND to ply his trade opening the batting. Not sure he's the answer. Is it time to try to manufacturer an opener from say a Craig Cachopa or Colin Munro - very good first class middle order bats...?

If I was an NZ selector, my first port of call would be Michael Papps, for 2 series, if it doesn't work I have heard good things for a while about Craig Cachopa.

 

[JJ]

Flynn should never play test cricket again. Ordinary bludger.

.

Flynn>>>>> Fulton + Rutherford.

Agree with your sentiment, but to me Papps or Flynn need to be the second opener - I think Flynn is better than you're giving him credit for, and will at least dig in and look to see out a session

 

[Iafeta]

None of Ken Jr, Fulton or Flynn are the answer. All three have had plenty of opportunities and all three come up a pineapple.

Papps has scored a ton of runs. Put him in there.

Without seeing much NZ domestic stuff over here though, again I look at the record of a Munro or a Craig Cachopa and wonder if they could be converted to opener.

 

[Rod]

Why are we giving up on Rutherford so soon?

Sure he has his weaknesses for the wide ball and not leaving enough deliveries for an opener but we've shown in the past we're too quick to pull the trigger on our openers. Give him an extended run in the side and give a chance to improve for god's sake, there is definitely some talent there.

 

[Timbo]

Papps is a sensible call. Look what we did with Rogers and it's paying off in spades.

Although I still think McCullum to open and Ryder back in at 5 is the best bet. Or if not Ryder, a 5/6 of Anderson and Neesham.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Why are we giving up on Rutherford so soon?

Sure he has his weaknesses for the wide ball and not leaving enough deliveries for an opener but we've shown in the past we're too quick to pull the trigger on our openers. Give him an extended run in the side and give a chance to improve for god's sake, there is definitely some talent there.

By extended run, do you mean 21 innings, 456 runs at 21.7 since his great debut hundred? That is 5 and a half series of failure so far. That is a pretty extended run. Now he should have to go actually earn his spot by playing domestic cricket this season.

If you want to stick by a young opener, then give Jeet Raval or Cachopa the gig.

Brad Haddin is a cheat

 

[JJ]

None of Ken Jr, Fulton or Flynn are the answer. All three have had plenty of opportunities and all three come up a pineapple.

Papps has scored a ton of runs. Put him in there.

Without seeing much NZ domestic stuff over here though, again I look at the record of a Munro or a Craig Cachopa and wonder if they could be converted to opener.

Domestic form is why Flynn and Papps are the answer - obviously I am a Flynn fan, but would prefer Papps - not really sure why they moved on from him...

Rod - watch Rutherford bat, they answer is there

Timbo - Ryder is a merkin, and done his chips as far as NZ cricket is concerned, they'd be insane to involve him again - shame because he is undeniably talented, but simply cannot address his issues, nor take any responsibility for them

 

[vvvrulz]

Flynn should never play test cricket again. Ordinary bludger..

He's a hell of a lot better than Fulton and Rutherford.

 

[vvvrulz]

By extended run, do you mean 21 innings, 456 runs at 21.7 since his great debut hundred? That is 5 and a half series of failure so far. That is a pretty extended run. Now he should have to go actually earn his spot by playing domestic cricket this season.

Exactly this.

 

[Iafeta]

He's a hell of a lot better than Fulton and Rutherford.

His record suggests otherwise. 45 test innings, only 6 50's, 0 centuries, average of 25. His career should be dead in the ditch.