I've been thinking about this squad for a while, and I still can't settle on a starting XI. I know it's still very early, but it's interesting to see who will open the batting, the combination of the middle order, and also the third seamer.
Jamie How was very impressive yesterday, played straight, and also showed his natural attacking instinct. I've always thought he's a better first class player than one day, and I hope he will get his chance against WI. Fulton will probably find it harder to force his way in, even though he has a fine domestic record and a solid ODI innings to boot. Alot will depend where Fleming will play, and I personally hope he opens the innings. James Marshall will probably be dropped as the incumbent Test opener, and the future of Cumming is uncertain. So an opening combination of How and Fleming for me.
I like the look of Hamish at 3, and it's hard to drop him even though he is in a lean trot because of his superb innings against Australia and SL early last year. Styris would be in the side at 4, and Vincent at 5. I would employ Oram's allround skills at 6, where he would play a 'Flintoff' type of role as the 4th pace bowler and a key batsman in the middle order.
The bowling attack will look much stronger with Bond back. And for once, we will have an attack not lacking in variety. I would partner Bond with Franklin with the new ball, and Mills as the first-change bowler. Martin would be the unlucky one. It's a good balanced lineup, with Bond's fast inswing, Franklin's left armers, and Mill's consistent line and length as well as his ability to outswing it. It would also give us a deep batting lineup, with Franklin or Mills batting at 10!
1 Fleming (c), 2 How, 3 H Marshall, 4 Styris, 5 Vincent, 6 Oram, 7 McCullum+, 8 Vettori, 9 Franklin, 10 Mills, 11 Bond, 12 Fulton, 13 Martin
Jamie How was very impressive yesterday, played straight, and also showed his natural attacking instinct. I've always thought he's a better first class player than one day, and I hope he will get his chance against WI. Fulton will probably find it harder to force his way in, even though he has a fine domestic record and a solid ODI innings to boot. Alot will depend where Fleming will play, and I personally hope he opens the innings. James Marshall will probably be dropped as the incumbent Test opener, and the future of Cumming is uncertain. So an opening combination of How and Fleming for me.
I like the look of Hamish at 3, and it's hard to drop him even though he is in a lean trot because of his superb innings against Australia and SL early last year. Styris would be in the side at 4, and Vincent at 5. I would employ Oram's allround skills at 6, where he would play a 'Flintoff' type of role as the 4th pace bowler and a key batsman in the middle order.
The bowling attack will look much stronger with Bond back. And for once, we will have an attack not lacking in variety. I would partner Bond with Franklin with the new ball, and Mills as the first-change bowler. Martin would be the unlucky one. It's a good balanced lineup, with Bond's fast inswing, Franklin's left armers, and Mill's consistent line and length as well as his ability to outswing it. It would also give us a deep batting lineup, with Franklin or Mills batting at 10!
1 Fleming (c), 2 How, 3 H Marshall, 4 Styris, 5 Vincent, 6 Oram, 7 McCullum+, 8 Vettori, 9 Franklin, 10 Mills, 11 Bond, 12 Fulton, 13 Martin
