For New Zealand Fans....

[Fast Eddie]

Yea they can come back in for a few weeks before being refused entry after losing to Australia by 1000 :lol:

We were spoilt in the early 2000s, the current mob are the worst I can remember on the test scene though.

No way, had plenty of worse test line ups than the current one.

No, because these days we only play about 3 test matches per year.

He doesnt have the style for T20 and to a lesser extent ODI's, which is why he wont really be recognised (and i mean that as a compliment).

Disagree, I'd say he will still go on to push Fleming for most test runs, if someone like Taylor hasn't already got there. Williamson will also be a fine ODI batsman, he's only going to improve in that format. Just needs to rotate the strike a bit better and he'll be quality in ODI's.

 

[African Monkey]

Not sure how good our batting lineup is at present really, but boy Chris Martin could be in trouble. I like the guy (mainly for his inability to bat) but he must just about be done, nearly 37.

Our pace bowling stocks are really low atm so he could still have a good season or two left if he stays fit. He's done well to stay injury free thoroughout his career unlike most of our paceman over the years.

 

[Lego_Man]

Disagree, I'd say he will still go on to push Fleming for most test runs, if someone like Taylor hasn't already got there. Williamson will also be a fine ODI batsman, he's only going to improve in that format. Just needs to rotate the strike a bit better and he'll be quality in ODI's.

How is that possible if we play half the number of tests that we used to? He'd have to play until he was 40 to get close.

I remember the good old days of 3,4, or even 5-test series against England, Australia, and the Saffas. Now you're lucky to get 5 tests over the entire summer.

Williamson is excellent but he's not a "modern" player. Sad really - would have been great to have him 10 years ago but at the moment cricket is f**ked.

 

[Fast Eddie]

14 tests over the next 12 months isn't enough?

Even if we were to only play 10 test matches a year, Williamson could still have a 100+ test match career provided he played till he was 33-34. Fleming played 111.

 

[African Monkey]

No way, had plenty of worse test line ups than the current one.

You sure about that? Excluding Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, our last test victory overseas was against the West Indies in 2002 and we have won 2 test matches since the beginning of 2007.

This current mob has the talent, but the application is not there.

 

[edabomb]

No way, had plenty of worse test line ups than the current one.

94/95 is the worst I've seen. They'd have it all over the current mob in the bowling stocks, where the current team would have them covered for batting fairly easily.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I remember a team we put out against South Africa in South Africa in 2000 being terrible due to injuries. And like you have mentioned that side in the mid 90's. I dunno about you but I think Mills, Southee, Bracewell, Wagner, Vettori can top Morrison, Larsen, Vaughn, Kennedy and Patel.

 

[edabomb]

I remember a team we put out against South Africa in South Africa in 2000 being terrible due to injuries. And like you have mentioned that side in the mid 90's. I dunno about you but I think Mills, Southee, Bracewell, Wagner, Vettori can top Morrison, Larsen, Vaughn, Kennedy and Patel.

Chuck Doull in for the 94/95ers and it's an argument :lol: With a fit Cairns they would have been a fair way better (although Cairns was a long way from his peak in that era).

 

[Fast Eddie]

I just can't believe looking at the old scorecards that we opened the bowling against the Windies in a test with Gavin Larsen! And if the opening batsmen could get through that then they had to deal with Justin Vaughn at first change and Harry coming on later!

 

[Patorick]

Any news on Iain O'Brien coming back?

 

[African Monkey]

Any news on Iain O'Brien coming back?

He's injured for the first month of the domestic competition.

 

[edabomb]

I just can't believe looking at the old scorecards that we opened the bowling against the Windies in a test with Gavin Larsen! And if the opening batsmen could get through that then they had to deal with Justin Vaughn at first change and Harry coming on later!

:lol: Windies made about 600 at the Basin during that tour didn't they? Easy to see why.

Maybe we'll see Nathan McCullum make the test team as a 'spinner' this year :lol:

 

[Red Bear]

I've had a 93/94 video of Australia/South Africa/NZ for years, boy you were at a low ebb in that era. just shithouse lineup with only a couple of gems (Chris Cairns, mainly). Lucky Fleming and co emerged just after that

 

[African Monkey]

Maybe we'll see Nathan McCullum make the test team as a 'spinner' this year :lol:

Lol I would not put it past our selectors to do that.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

In Tests, most of the top order has been settled IMO:

McCullum
Guptill
Taylor
Ryder
Williamson
??? (seam-bowling allrounder)
??? (keeper)

James Franklin has the potential to be the seam-bowling Test allrounder, but he needs to develop some form of consistency in his game. I don't rate Reece Young too highly either.

I believe that McCullum becoming a specialist batsman has opened up a problem with finding an adequate keeper-batsman, but at the same time, has solved that problematic openers spot that was left open by Tim McIntosh, BJ Watling and a host of other average players.

In ODIs, they should get McCullum to keep, and slot Rob Nicol into the team, pushing Guptill down to 3.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Tests against Aus will be

Guptil
McCullum
Williamson
Taylor
Ryder
Brownlie
Vettori
Young
Mills
Southee
Martin

Should be Martins last test series as well. Leaves us short with only 4 frontline bowlers though so maybe Vettori or Young might have to bat 6 and that allows Bracewell to come into the side? I'd rather have him over Mills or Martin anyway but don't think thats the way they will go.

 

[African Monkey]

Mills should be nowhere near the side. Bracewell's gotta retain his place in the side. His bowling will suit Australian conditions and there's no reason to drop him. I would like to see Boult to come into the side and maybe push Vettori up to 6 but that won't happen.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Yeah I'd rather Bracewell over Mills as well because I've never rated Mills as a test bowler at all but I still think they will select him.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Also Andre Adams? Dominates FC cricket.

EDIT scrap that, didn't realise he is 35!

 

[IanG]

Any news on Iain O'Brien coming back?

Last thing I heard was he was in a New Zealand Telemovie