3rd Test: West Indies v New Zealand at Bridgetown Jun 26-30, 2014

[TheParraboy]

Starts midnight EST this Thursday

The decider

Still expect NZ to win the series

 

[JJ]

A win for us would surprise me tbh... we're getting nothing from 3 of top 6 (#2 opener, Taylor and McCullum) and the two spinners are pretty ordinary - would prefer to go with 3 pace, one spinner, and Neesham regardless of wicket.

Can Williamson bowl (I should look it up) - about time someone looked at his action, it's diabolical, but so are many others

 

[vvvrulz]

Wagner needs to be called back right away at the expense of a spinner.

Happy with the rest of the team par opener #2, and we have no choice but to just try Rutherford again this time.

 

[Rod]

Williamson's allowed to bowl until he gets his action tested.

Apparently they'll be bringing in another quick (Wagner seems the obvious choice), mostly likely at the expense of Sodhi.

 

[JJ]

That was a no brainer - and it's time for Taylor and McCullum to contribute tbh... and Rutherford could secure his immediate future

 

[JJ]

Seems Wagner is in for Sodhi - no brainer - the rest unchanged.

TBH I'd have been tempted to play Anderson ahead of Rutherford - and open with him if McCullum is adamant he stays at 5... or even open with Williamson, it's effectively what he's doing anyway... bit left field I guess, just frustrated

 

[TheParraboy]

Kiwis won toss and batting

Roach has both openers

2/31

 

[JJ]

268/8 at 4 runs an over

Rutherford should be done now I trust?

Can't bat first and do this - effectively we won't score anywhere near enough to be comfortable, and we've scored so fast that the Windies if they bat well will beat us...

Maybe Craig could open the batting with Latham

 

[edabomb]

Hesson's stubborness with the openers was always going to cost us at least a test match. I think it goes a pretty long way to contributing to a series loss if we we blow this one.

Hopefully there is a fight back from the bowlers over night.

 

[JJ]

Hesson's stubborness with the openers was always going to cost us at least a test match. I think it goes a pretty long way to contributing to a series loss if we we blow this one.

Hopefully there is a fight back from the bowlers over night.

I am all for loyalty but this is putting Williamson in a hole, and the shots they play at times are appalling... f**k, I wouldn't even mind if they (Fulton/Rutherford) weren't scoring heavily, but try and bat for an hour or two

 

[Timbo]

The best option, again, is McCullum to open and recalling Ryder. You can't go on with these openers who barely know which end of the bat to hold.

But if Ryder isn't an option I see it as you having two options:

1-Recall Papps.

Or

2-Put Ronchi into the side as keeper/bat and moving Watling up to open.

 

[edabomb]

I am all for loyalty but this is putting Williamson in a hole, and the shots they play at times are appalling... f**k, I wouldn't even mind if they (Fulton/Rutherford) weren't scoring heavily, but try and bat for an hour or two

Yea I wouldn't mind loyalty if the guys were performing at a basically competent level - ie. averaging over 20 in the past twelve months.

They were just so far off the pace that it was obvious changes needed to be made, and they weren't. Other than that Hesson has done a pretty good job the past twelve months.

My vote is still for Papps to get a shot as a stop gap measure. None of the youngsters are knocking the door down and it remains to be seen how Brownlie adapts at opening. I think moving Watling up his performance would take a dive, and Ronchi isn't anything special from his domestic and NZ form.... Open to seeing it in action though I guess.

I don't think Ryder will ever be back in the whites for NZ.

 

[JJ]

I don't think Ryder will ever be back in the whites for NZ.

No, I trust not...

While it's a shame given his talent, it is simply not a sane move

 

[edabomb]

No, I trust not...

While it's a shame given his talent, it is simply not a sane move

He will definitely be back for the WC though.... My theory and I am sticking to it :sarcasm:

 

[African Monkey]

I am all for loyalty but this is putting Williamson in a hole, and the shots they play at times are appalling... f**k, I wouldn't even mind if they (Fulton/Rutherford) weren't scoring heavily, but try and bat for an hour or two

Yes which is the job of an opening bat. I don't care how many they score, just as long as they can take the shine off the new ball.

 

[Twizzle]

well that would be a start but if you're going to be more consistent, they need to do more

 

[JJ]

well that would be a start but if you're going to be more consistent, they need to do more

For sure, but we have limited talent - Latham will do more, he's a talent - someone like Papps or Flynn with him would be good. Real shame that Ryder just can't cut it.

Damage for us will be done by 3-7 - a middle order of Willamson, Taylor, McCullum, Neesham, Watling and perhaps Anderson offers plenty

Interestingly, I didn't realise Watling had been quite so good - 17 tests is a reasonable sample

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/755845.html

 

[Twizzle]

It must be frustrating for you guys when you see what you are capable of, like the first test.

I guess just taking the shine off the ball is a step in the right direction.

The poms are starved for talent too, but they just pick people from other countries.

 

[JJ]

It must be frustrating for you guys when you see what you are capable of, like the first test.

.

I was going to say "yep, you have no idea!"... but you do, of course, as you're an Eels fan

 

[Twizzle]

not so frustrating this year, wish we played you guys every week