Where does Ross Taylor rank?

[Pup Clarke]

My NZ test team would be

Craig Cumming
Stephen Fleming
Matthew Sinclair
Ross Taylor
Scott Styris
Jacob Oram
Brendon McCullum
Daniel Vettori
James Franklin
Shane Bond
Chris Martin

 

[Richard]

Fleming... is... not... an... opener!

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Fleming... is... not... an... opener!

Yes. He needs to be at 3 for sure.

Although you can argue that he is an opener. Considering we only play ODI's

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Yes. He needs to be at 3 for sure.

Although you can argue that he is an opener. Considering we only play ODI's

He's not an ODI opener either. He's as much of an opening batsman as Wavell Hinds is.

 

[Natman20]

He does his opening role better than anyone before him in the last few years

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

He does his opening role better than anyone before him in the last few years

Because he's a good batsman and there are no good openers in New Zealand apparently. It doesn't make him an opener, and certainly doesn't mean that it's the best spot in the batting order for him. Yes, the opening void needs to be filled, but you also want to maximize the potential of your best batsman. And AFAIC, Fleming is still clearly New Zealand's best batsman.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Because he's a good batsman and there are no good openers in New Zealand apparently. It doesn't make him an opener, and certainly doesn't mean that it's the best spot in the batting order for him. Yes, the opening void needs to be filled, but you also want to maximize the potential of your best batsman. And AFAIC, Fleming is still clearly New Zealand's best batsman.

Agreed.

NZ has so many middle order players it aint funny. He gives a lefthand option at the top, and opens a spot for another batsmen who bats 3-5. Hence he is an opener by default. If NZ had an another opener, then he should bat at 3. But because NZ dont have one, he is and opener (by default) and probably will be for the rest of his career (in ODI).

When it comes to Tests, if he opens, then the selectors need their heads examined

 

[thierry henry]

Broom must be coming close to the test equation, one of the better FC records around, and still young (23 I think) to boot. But there's plenty of competition. Rob Nicol is probably there as well.

 

[NZTailender]

I'm guessing How will be dropped after his poor performances in tests so far (poor guy. Was in the ODI side and now seems to be on the outer until he gets a bucketload of runs and injuries hit the team) and Astle has retired, so that frees up two spots. Styris will be back, though, so I'm guessing he'd slot into the middle order. That leaves yet another opening conundrum.

At this rate, I would go with another specialist to partner Cumming who was looking good against Sri Lanka. I think
Papps has been going well in the domestic comp and has th potential as a long term option and deserves the recall.

1. M Papps
2. C Cumming
3. M Sinclair
4. S Fleming*
5. S Styris
6. J Oram
7. B McCullum+
8. J Franklin
9. D Vettori
10. S Bond
11. C Martin

12. P Fulton
13. R Taylor
14. L Vincent
15. M Gillespie

Alternatively...

1. M Papps
2. C Cumming
3. M Sinclair
4. S Fleming*
5. P Fulton
6. S Styris
7. J Oram
8. B McCullum+
9. J Franklin
10. D Vettori
11. S Bond

 

[Richard]

Michael Papps seems to have been completely forgotten of late... I mean, I'm sure How can do a bit better than what he did in those Sri Lanka games, but sheesh... I've not often seen someone look so out-of-depth. I mean, his FC record isn't exactly flash, is it?

 

[Natman20]

Papps is no longer an option IMO he does not perform consistently enough in domestic cricket to be able to perform in the international arena. I predict a few retirements so the possibility of players leaving would leave my selections being:

Craig Cumming
Lou Vincent
Matthew Sinclair
Peter Fulton
Ross Taylor
Rob Nicol
Jacob Oram
+Brendon McCullum
*Daniel Vettori
James Franklin
Chris Martin

12th: Jeetan Patel or Jesse Ryder
I think that would be a balanced team if my predicted retirements come about.

 

[Richard]

Vincent opening again?

 

[meatspx]

Vincent may have half-sorted out his foward defensive technique..... but he has to bat in the middle order! Crazy stuff.

 

[Perm]

Papps is no longer an option IMO he does not perform consistently enough in domestic cricket to be able to perform in the international arena. I predict a few retirements so the possibility of players leaving would leave my selections being:

Craig Cumming
Lou Vincent
Matthew Sinclair
Peter Fulton
Ross Taylor
Rob Nicol
Jacob Oram
+Brendon McCullum
*Daniel Vettori
James Franklin
Chris Martin

12th: Jeetan Patel or Jesse Ryder
I think that would be a balanced team if my predicted retirements come about.

Ridiculous team, Vincent shouldn't be opening and I can't see Bond, Styris or Fleming retiring. When they do, I'm sure that Craig Cumming would have already given up by then. I can't beleive you said Michael Papps wasn't consistent enough for the Test team, ridiculous claim as far as I'm concerned. Best opener in NZ.

 

[Fiery]

Easy tiger. As Natman20 stated he is predicting those 3 guys he mentioned to retire. I personally think all 3 will play for a couple more years. Using the word "ridiculous" so freely, like the rollie-eyes a bit, can sound harsh. I agree with you that Papps is not quite up to scratch in international cricket but Natman20 see's obviously has some faith in him and sees it differently. Respect brother.

 

[Fiery]

Ridiculous team, Vincent shouldn't be opening and I can't see Bond, Styris or Fleming retiring. When they do, I'm sure that Craig Cumming would have already given up by then. I can't beleive you said Michael Papps wasn't consistent enough for the Test team, ridiculous claim as far as I'm concerned. Best opener in NZ.

Easy tiger. As Natman20 stated he is predicting those 3 guys he mentioned to retire. I personally think all 3 will play for a couple more years. Using the word "ridiculous" so freely, like the rollie-eyes a bit, can sound harsh. I agree with you that Papps is not quite up to scratch in international cricket but Natman20 obviously has some faith in him and sees it differently. Respect bro. *said in best street-talk despite being old, white and loathing rap and hip-hop*

 

[Natman20]

Just as I said Papps didnt perform in domestic cricket he goes and scores 143* today

 

[Perm]

Easy tiger. As Natman20 stated he is predicting those 3 guys he mentioned to retire. I personally think all 3 will play for a couple more years. Using the word "ridiculous" so freely, like the rollie-eyes a bit, can sound harsh. I agree with you that Papps is not quite up to scratch in international cricket but Natman20 obviously has some faith in him and sees it differently. Respect bro. *said in best street-talk despite being old, white and loathing rap and hip-hop*

I think Papps is good enough to be international standard, but injuries have shortened what could have been a very good career. I don't see any reason those 3 guys would retire really, so I stand by my claims of it being a ridiculous team but I mean no offence to Natman who I respect highly.