***Official*** New Zealand in India 2012

[straw man]

I'm not so concerned about Van Wyk's lack of runs - I think he would be a decent contributor if we stick with him. His inability or reluctance to take catches on the inside of first slip is a problem though.

 

[Kippax]

If Vettori is fit, then maybe Watling to keep and bat at 6, Vettori at 7, with either four seamers or three seamers and a second spinner to be selected via a lottery system?

You'd probably look to keep playing Flynn as an opener if fit with Brownlie the one dropped I take it?

I've been wondering if Latham's strength on the sweep is a factor they might consider for a SC middle-order yet. I've seen some pretty awkward stuff from Latham in the video vault as well tbf but he does crush that shot.
http://nzcpooch.blob.core.windows.net/9d188549-baf3-4c6b-b2c4-5a50689aa1eb/1_026_01.mp4

Personally I would let McCullum try to repeat his success last tour as an opener, trying to bring India's weakest two suits to the fore (pedestrian attack, propensity to lose heart) as quickly as possible.

 

[Days of Grace]

Think we may be underestimating India's attack at home, tbh.

Zaheer Khan will be a handful and their spinners will suddenly become world-beaters against our batsmen.

 

[NasserFan207]

Hyderabad would be a flat track surely. Pujara would be picked to bat at 3 as he had a good A tour to WI this year.

Most probably India's line up would be

Sehwag
Gambhir
Pujara
Sachin
Laxman
Kohli
Dhoni
Ashwin
Zaheer
Yadav
Ojha

I think Kohli should swap positions with Pujara honestly. He's far superior as a no 3

 

[honestbharani]

I would put Laxman in there at 3 to be honest, maybe playwith 5 bowlers?

 

[Mike5181]

You'd probably look to keep playing Flynn as an opener if fit with Brownlie the one dropped I take it?

I've been wondering if Latham's strength on the sweep is a factor they might consider for a SC middle-order yet. I've seen some pretty awkward stuff from Latham in the video vault as well tbf but he does crush that shot.
http://nzcpooch.blob.core.windows.net/9d188549-baf3-4c6b-b2c4-5a50689aa1eb/1_026_01.mp4

Personally I would let McCullum try to repeat his success last tour as an opener, trying to bring India's weakest two suits to the fore (pedestrian attack, propensity to lose heart) as quickly as possible.

If you push McCullum up to open the innings Flynn or Williamson would have to bat at number three. The latter probably isn't ready yet despite being earmarked to fill the position eventually, Flynn wouldn't be too bad I guess.

If they really wanted to bring another batsman in to replace someone like Brownlie, I'd prefer it was one of Broom/Franklin rather than Latham. The guy's a bit inexperienced to play tests. That being said I doubt they will go any further than selecting Watling as a specialist batsman if they decide to keep Van Wyk.

 

[G.I.Joe]

I would put Laxman in there at 3 to be honest, maybe playwith 5 bowlers?

Yeah, it'd mean Kohli and Pujara coming in within a space of each other, but I'd still do it.

Sehwag
Gambhir
Laxman
Sachin
Kohli
Pujara
Dhoni
Ashwin (has a Test century)
Zaheer
Yadav
Ojha

 

[Manee]

Yeah, it'd mean Kohli and Pujara coming in within a space of each other, but I'd still do it.

Sehwag
Gambhir
Laxman
Sachin
Kohli
Pujara
Dhoni
Ashwin (has a Test century)
Zaheer
Yadav
Ojha

I think we should try to move away from Zaheer. His fitness is too hit and miss.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Pro: They're coming from the most spin-friendly pitches in the world. If Guptill can make runs there, he should translate it across into India.
Con: Indian pitches are roads. No assistance for Boult, Wagner and Bracewell at all.
Pro: Indian pacers will be screwed.
Pro: India doesn't have a decent spinner.
Con: Neither does New Zealand.

Would say Ashwin was decent. But it doesn't really matter because New Zealand couldn't handle Deonarine, so if it's spinning any of India's part-timers could take wickets.

 

[NasserFan207]

WI pitches are better for spin though, and at least the Kiwis have some experience now. Will definitely be a challenge however, I think they really need Ryder for this.

Depends if India decide to prepare bunsens as well. It would be the smart move but you'd think in terms of preparation for stronger tests they need to use their pace attack.

 

[G.I.Joe]

I think we should try to move away from Zaheer. His fitness is too hit and miss.

Zaheer seems to have Sachin status amongst the bowlers. I don't think the selectors will drop him if he's available.

 

[SteveNZ]

Pro: India doesn't have a decent spinner.

Truth, yet from Stuff..Sadly, as Taylor noted, India's spinners are a class above Deonarine, and even Sunil Narine Lunacy. Ashwin is decent but he's not Narine.

Vettori won't be fit, so we have to play a spinner. It probably needs to be Nethula, which is way less than ideal. The bloke won't have played for a month by the time he gets there, and that month ago he bowled tripe. And it severely weakens our batting as well. You can go with Williamson as the spinner but then the seamers have to win it for you, basically.

Van Wyk doesn't deserve to keep his spot, if Watling is fit. His keeping wasn't any great shakes and we are bemoaning 50s not turning into 100s - what about 15s not turning into 50s? Offers little, and never really will. I'd rather Latham played, if need be.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Bring back Ryder

 

[Manee]

Zaheer seems to have Sachin status amongst the bowlers. I don't think the selectors will drop him if he's available.

We aren't exactly swimming in Test quality fast bowlers, I guess. Perhaps the selectors will give Shami Ahmed a go, I still think it is too early for him. Perhaps a recall for Irfan Pathan but I think his speed is a bit too low at the moment. I've not seen much of B Kumar but he played just one FC match against West Indies A (bowled with success) - either the selectors have an eye on him for Tests or not, but they should make up their minds because statistically, he looks a very good bet.

This is all assuming the ship has sailed on Vinay for Test cricket. I wish they took him on A tours to see how he stacked up alongside Dinda and Shami.

 

[Contra]

I don't really understand the calls for Zaheer's dropping in test matches, he's by far our best bowler when fit, and more importantly he's shown that he can handle a heavy workload when fully fit in Australia. Naturally if he is unfit before a series then I agree I wouldn't risk him, but if he says he's fully fit and available then it's just dumb to not pick him. Ishant Sharma shouldn't be picked anytime soon, he's had his fair share of chances and he's simply not consistent enough to warrant a pick, Umesh and Zak should be good enough for this 2 test series, Irfan is a good option if India want to go in with 5 bowlers, seening as Ashwin and Irfan can make up for the 6th batsmen.

Oh and Virat for # 3

 

[Kippax]

Bruce Martin, 2011/12 FC Wickets - YouTube (I showed Deonarine the action at 0:36, he laughed)

Todd Astle, 2011/12 FC Wickets - YouTube

Jeets 7/75 - YouTube

 

[BackFootPunch]

Jimmy and Jeets both in the team.

Black Caps drop Brownlie for Franklin

 

[SteveNZ]

NZ Test recalls for Patel, Franklin - Cricket - Sportal New Zealand

We've really got nowhere else to go.

 

[BackFootPunch]

Guptill
Flynn
McCullum
Taylor
Williamson
Franklin
Watling
Bracewell
Wagner
Southee/Patel
Boult

That's a good team.

 

[Flem274*]

Really?

Four quicks and Williamson please...