3rd test: NZ v Pakistan

[JJ]

Lame response from Vettori - the deck was ok, at the end of the day Pakistan's inability to play sensibly and Vettori's defensiveness as a captain and toothless left-arm orthodox bowling ensured the draw. Pretty embarrassing for him that Martin Guptill looked a much more threatening bowler.... by the same token, pretty embarrassing for Guptill that Vettori looked the much more likely to score runs.

Excellent series though, really enjoyable

 

[African Monkey]

Maybe they should swap roles in the test team.

 

[JoeD]

Someone suggested Guptill should do a reverse Richardson - give up being an opener and reinvent himself as a spin bowler.

 

[JJ]

he certainly should give up batting in the top 3 in tests at the moment... he needs to perform at first class level

I'd like a test lineup of something like

Watling
McIntosh (although Ingram must be pushing both hard)
Sinclair (I know it wont happen, but he's still the best first class bat we have)
Taylor
Ryder
Broom (on form)/ Guptill
McCullum
Vettori

 

[Meth]

he certainly should give up batting in the top 3 in tests at the moment... he needs to perform at first class level

I'd like a test lineup of something like

Watling
McIntosh (although Ingram must be pushing both hard)
Sinclair (I know it wont happen, but he's still the best first class bat we have)
Taylor
Ryder
Broom (on form)/ Guptill
McCullum
Vettori

I did like having four seamers though. Put Bond back in the team for O'Brien and our bowling attack is better than it has been in a long time.

We have the Bangers coming in February- it's such a shame we only have one test against them because it would have been great to tinker with the top order over 3 Tests.

I'd go for that top 5, with the only question mark at this stage being 3. (McIntosh's spot is still in jeopardy, but I do like the idea of a sturdy opener like he was in this last Test. He needs to do that regularly ala Richardson).

Realistically (as in, Sinclair is out) what are the options at 3;

Flynn- has failed. Showed promise at 3 vs WI at this time last year but has been balls ever since.

Guptill- I like Guptill on potential, but his performance with the bat this series has been woeful and hasn't been much better in previous Test matches.

How- I was his biggest knocker at the beginning of the year; but has he sorted out the problems with his technique enough to make a return to the test team?

We seem to be pretty short on options when it comes to a straight swap at #3

 

[JJ]

I did like having four seamers though. Put Bond back in the team for O'Brien and our bowling attack is better than it has been in a long time.

We have the Bangers coming in February- it's such a shame we only have one test against them because it would have been great to tinker with the top order over 3 Tests.

I'd go for that top 5, with the only question mark at this stage being 3. (McIntosh's spot is still in jeopardy, but I do like the idea of a sturdy opener like he was in this last Test. He needs to do that regularly ala Richardson).

Realistically (as in, Sinclair is out) what are the options at 3;

Flynn- has failed. Showed promise at 3 vs WI at this time last year but has been balls ever since.

Guptill- I like Guptill on potential, but his performance with the bat this series has been woeful and hasn't been much better in previous Test matches.

How- I was his biggest knocker at the beginning of the year; but has he sorted out the problems with his technique enough to make a return to the test team?

We seem to be pretty short on options when it comes to a straight swap at #3

I still like How a lot too...

what about Ingram at #3?

Broom is a strange one, surely he's done enough to demand a test place now?

 

[African Monkey]

I can't see why How can't bat at 3 for the next series. Hopefully he has learnt not to go so hard at the ball. Broom has to come in for Flynn. Flynn's confidence is shot atm and needs runs on the board in domestic cricket along with Guptill.

 

[Meth]

I still like How a lot too...

what about Ingram at #3?

Broom is a strange one, surely he's done enough to demand a test place now?

What about-

McIntosh
How/Waitling
Waitling/Ingram
Taylor
Ryder/Broom

How was a semi-decent test opener in 2008- averaged 26 over 24 innings in the calendar year and that was hitting his rocky spot v Bangladesh, Australia and the West Indies

 

[Meth]

Alternatively, McIntosh and Waitling could remian at the top of the order and How, Guptill and Ingram could battle it out for 3.

I've always thought of Broom as batting 4, 5 and 6.

At least we can all agree to say no to Flynn for a while and say no to Fulton forevermore

 

[Lego_Man]

How is a good player, he just needs to work on the mental side of the game a bit more.

 

[Meth]

When is Ryder due back.

He is the key for the balance of the top order- too much pressure being put on Ross Taylor to score runs at the top of the order at the moment.