*Official* New Zealand in Sri Lanka 2012

[BeeGee]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

I agree 100%, however he hasn't scored any runs in bloody ages. There was a general train of thought not long ago that if Vettori's batting regressed he'd still be the best spinner in the country (despite how average his bowling was) and command a place for balance anyway, and I think Patel has put that to bed to some extent. If Vettori can't score any runs he shouldn't be making the side over someone like Watling because the myth of him being the best spinner regardless of how crap his bowling had become has been debunked.

His batting form is certainly an issue.

But the one thing Vettori has that none of his competitors have is that he has proven he's good enough to play at Test level, against any opposition. Six centuries and twenty three half centuries scored in the lower half of the batting order, imo, is a lot of talent to discard based on form, especially since no other NZ all rounders are really putting their hand up. I personally would give him the SA series, batting at six, and reassess afterwards if he doesn't perform.

And I'm not considering any pure batsmen for the six spot because if we get into the situation where Amla and Kallis are putting together a 400 run partnership on a road, we will need that Vettori style bowler who can bowl a crap load of tight overs so our seamers can rest. The last thing we want is to bowl our seam trio into the ground and have them all fall over injured.

Five batsmen, one batting all rounder, keeper and four bowlers.

If Watling wants a place in this team he needs to play as keeper or replace one of the top five. I actually would quite like to see Watling given the chance to play as keeper in a two Test series. If only to answer the two questions I have about him: is he good enough (or could be good enough) to keep at Test level? And is he good enough to score runs at Test level against a good bowling attack?

[Bahnz]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

I agree 100%, however he hasn't scored any runs in bloody ages. There was a general train of thought not long ago that if Vettori's batting regressed he'd still be the best spinner in the country (despite how average his bowling was) and command a place for balance anyway, and I think Patel has put that to bed to some extent. If Vettori can't score any runs he shouldn't be making the side over someone like Watling because the myth of him being the best spinner regardless of how crap his bowling had become has been debunked.

While that may be true in terms of the number of days since his last batting success, the truth is that only 4 tests have passed since Vettori made 98 on a sporty pitch at the gabba. A couple of games before that he hit a century against a strong Pakistani bowling lineup. The lack of cricket, combined with his injuries make it feel like Vettori has been out of touch for ages, but I think he deserves a lot more time as a batsman.

[Flem274*]

You can lock Vettori in at 7 or 8 for South Africa. The selectors won't bat him at six and Vettori has always been reluctant to bat 6.

Tbh Dan at seven with bowlers 8-11 and Watling at 6 is a decent compromise in the short term. If Ryder returns though I'd stick with Flynn at 6 and bowl Williamson as the stock bowler.

[Days of Grace]

Guptill
McCullum
Williamson
Taylor
Flynn
Franklin
Watling (wk)
Vettori
Bracewell
Southee
Boult

[Carl Bulfin]

Guptill isnt up to it. Give watling the gloves and open him up with mccullum.

team without Ryder

Watling(wk)
McCullum
Williamson
Taylor
Flynn
Brownlee
Vettori
Bracewell
Wagner/gillespie
Southee
Boult

[Flem274*]

Watling's fitness would be a wreck by the end of our tour to England

[hendrix]

can't have an opener keeping in test cricket.

[BeeGee]

Originally Posted by Carl Bulfin

Guptill isnt up to it. Give watling the gloves and open him up with mccullum.

team without Ryder

Watling(wk)
McCullum
Williamson
Taylor
Flynn
Brownlee
Vettori
Bracewell
Wagner/gillespie
Southee
Boult

You can't have your keeper also open in a Test match. You'd kill him. It's too much.

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Originally Posted by Carl Bulfin

Guptill isnt up to it. Give watling the gloves and open him up with mccullum.

Carl Bulfin. Cricket Max legend.

[_Ed_]

Haha, yes. His ODI career may have gone better if he'd kept the dreads.