**Official** New Zealand v Australia

[Top_Cat]

There are plenty of reasons to pick Lee but unfortunately for him, none to draop Kasper and plenty to retain him. If Kasper is dropped for the first Test, that will be a disgrace. Lots of players are in form and don't get picked because the player who is there already is performing too. Sucks to be Lee but that's what playing in the best cricketing nation in the world will do to you.

We've seen it many times over the years. Sylvester Clarke couldn't get a game for the WI when he was at his peak destroying English county sides. Why? Marshall, Garner, Holding and others were ahead of him and performing.

 

[cric_manic]

Iain O'Brien is said to be called up to the test team

 

[Somerset]

Iain O'Brien is said to be called up to the test team

That's got to be a joke. At least if Lance Hamilton is included, it's because of his commitment to domestic cricket over the years, I seriously don't know why the selectors would be looking at O'Brien.

 

[southern man]

He has been included, Along with Criag Cumming. Lou Vincent and James Franklin has being given recalls.

 

[Somerset]

He has been included, Along with Criag Cumming. Lou Vincent and James Franklin has being given recalls.

Cricinfo are a little slow on the news then. Cumming, Vincent and Franklin are acceptable selections but O'Brien? I can't see what this guy has that should cement a place in the test squad.

I also suppose Craig Cumming will be opening the innings? There goes my original selection of Matthew Sinclair, although his recent form can't have helped.

 

[Blaze]

He has been included, Along with Criag Cumming. Lou Vincent and James Franklin has being given recalls.

Did you hear that on the radio?

 

[cric_manic]

it was on radio sport

 

[Somerset]

it was on radio sport

But NZCricket and Cricinfo have absolutely nothing? Sure it wasn't just a rumour...

 

[SJS]

To digress a bit. Where is Craig McMillan's weight going ?? I was shocked to see him yesterday

 

[Somerset]

To digress a bit. Where is Craig McMillan's weight going ?? I was shocked to see him yesterday

He looked like his usual self to be honest. And he certainly seemed agile enough...

 

[southern man]

But NZCricket and Cricinfo have absolutely nothing? Sure it wasn't just a rumour...

It's no rumour.

Braces is talking to Phil ''Good as gold'' Gifford about the team right now.

The full team is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Craig Cumming, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, Chris Martin, Iain O'Brien, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent and Paul Wiseman.

 

[Fiery]

Macca has put on a bit of weight. It's all gone to his ass.
Iain O'Brien?! That's so random. His 1st class average isn't bad at 21. I don't think I even know what he looks like and I watch most of the State stuff on TV and go to a few games.

 

[Fiery]

It's no rumour.

Braces is talking to Phil ''Good as gold'' Gifford about the team right now.

The full team is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Craig Cumming, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, Chris Martin, Iain O'Brien, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent and Paul Wiseman.

"Good as gold, Southern man.
Well, it's been a real pleasure. All the best"

 

[Somerset]

It's no rumour.

Braces is talking to Phil ''Good as gold'' Gifford about the team right now.

The full team is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Craig Cumming, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, Chris Martin, Iain O'Brien, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent and Paul Wiseman.

Well it appears as though O'Brien has a decent chance of playing if Wiseman is included in the 12. Still a really surprising selection for an almost unknown player. To be honest, Kyle Mills should've been selected. He's played all six ODIs against Australia this summer and has had as much match practice as anyone.

 

[Fiery]

It's no rumour.

Braces is talking to Phil ''Good as gold'' Gifford about the team right now.

The full team is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Craig Cumming, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, Chris Martin, Iain O'Brien, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent and Paul Wiseman.

Hardly have the Aussies quaking in their thongs

 

[shaka]

I find this caption under a pic of Clarke's caught and bowled: "Michael Clarke takes a spectacular one-hander to remove New Zealand's Hamish McDonald in the fourth one-dayer at Wellington's Basin Reserve /AP" from foxsports australia

 

[SJS]

I find this caption under a pic of Clarke's caught and bowled: "Michael Clarke takes a spectacular one-hander to remove New Zealand's Hamish McDonald in the fourth one-dayer at Wellington's Basin Reserve /AP" from foxsports australia

Didnt you think it was spectacular ? It was unbelievable. It was stuck with such tremendous power. The slow motion replay could never do justice to the magic of the moment when one realised Clarke had caught it. I am not sure if a still pic can do too..

 

[Fiery]

Didnt you think it was spectacular ? It was unbelievable. It was stuck with such tremendous power. The slow motion replay could never do justice to the magic of the moment when one realised Clarke had caught it. I am not sure if a still pic can do too..

I think he's referring to the misprint. Hamish MacDonald was a particularly hardworking and conscientious All Black lock of the 70s, a strong scrummager and effective front of the lineout jumper. He formed a strong partnership in the 2nd row with Peter Whiting.

 

[_Ed_]

Must admit I've hardly heard of O'Brien. FC stats are impressive though, 120 wickets @ 21.93. But he is only listed as a medium pacer, will he really have anything that will trouble Australia? Can't say for sure that he won't since I haven't seen him bowl but I'm a bit worried.

 

[BlackCap_Fan]

Apologies if anybody's mentioned this already, but I saw today on the ICC website that New Zealand have lost their second place ranking in ODI's, falling below Sri Lanka. If they can win the final game they can reclaim it (temporarily, at least), but that appears pretty unlikely.

Bollocks. NZ are a better side than Sri Lanka.