NZ 1st test side
 

How close am I do you reckon?

Richardson
Vincent
Fleming
Styris
McMillan
Cairns
Oram
Hart
Vettori
Tuffey
Butler
12th: McIntosh (Marshall for fielding?)

Tuffey
Butler
Cairns
Oram
Vettori
Styris

I'm not sure about Cairns as a 1st change option, or if he'll even play. Is he playing for Canterbury this week?

I know Bracewell speaks glowingly of Butler, so I'd be more surprised if he's omitted rather than if he's selected. What I've read seems to suggest Hart is a given as keeper.

Whoops! I see you've been talking about this in another thread.

I guess this is a slightly different topic, being who you think *will* be picked.

Yeah looks alright to me, but I don't like both Oram & Cairns playing.

Oram is pretty useless against quality fast bowling & if Sami & Shoaib are on form, I don't think he'll hang around for very long...they'd be better off trying Jeff Wilson even.

I'd like to see this side:

Richardson
Vincent
Fleming
Styris
McMillan
Cairns
Wilson
Hart
Vettori
Tuffey
Butler

Back-up bowler Mason...and the 2 outside batsmen McIntosh & Marshall.
The problem is that its only a 2 test series, so if anyone fails in the 1st test then there's not much chance they'll be dropped for the 2nd..UNLESS Bracewell is extremely harsh.

It would be very hard to ignore McIntosh at the moment...he's pretty much shown that 5 years at domestic level is the right way to go...he started as a 19 year old & now he's 24 & scoring a truckload of runs. He's more than ready to have a go at test level..whether he can perform at test level, though is another matter.

The other guy who might get a look in is Andre Adams...he played extremely well against N.D from the reports I heard & saw.

NZ need to liven their attack up a little & he is capable of bowling mid 140's at times.

Yeah, I went to the Auckland game today, and Adams was certainly bowling at a good clip. Hurried the batsmen up, however bowled too short at times when the overcast conditions were conductive to swing.

I want us to play 6 batsmen, and I want Cairns to play at 7, but with his bowling still not up to scratch he will have to play at 6 for the time being.

Wilson is probably around the same pace as Adams now, and bowled extremely well against the Auckland top order of Richardson, Vincent, Horne, McIntosh and Nicol.

Richardson
Vincent
Fleming
McMillan
Styris
Cairns
Hart
Wilson/Adams/Oram
Vettori
Tuffey
Butler

Out of those 3 fighting for that spot, Wilson is the more attacking and more likely to expose the conditions.

I talked to him today and he said his injury was just a niggle and would be available for the next game.

That lineup looks ok but 6 & 7 could be a problem...we don't really know how Cairns will bat like in tests & Hart while he is gutsy, doesn't always put too many runs on the board, so NZ seem to want the batting all-rounder at 7 to cover that up.

I think they've got to send a message to the top 6 at least that there's really only a keeper & 4 bowlers after you, so don't mess up..rather than giving them the comfort of 2 or 3 all-rounders.

The only players I can see under alot of scrutiny in the 1st test are Vincent & Cairns. I think the others will be safe for the 2nd test regardless, unless there are injuries of course.
If Vincent fails in both innings, then McIntosh may get a chance & if Cairns fails to bat well & send down a few overs then he may also miss out.

I've been watching another young guy Jordan Sheed who plays for Otago.

When I played in a Nelson tournament a few years ago, Sheed was playing for Otago Boys High & he scored quite a few runs. But he's played for Otago for about 2 years now & can't buy a run.

I thought Jamie How was going to be a one hit wonder, but he's 97* against N.D so maybe he can start putting some consistent runs up on the board, because technically from what I saw of him..he is very good when he gets his eye in.

Yes I agree with you Tim.

But if you don't play Cairns at 6, and you play him at 7 he would be the first change bowler which he isn't he suited now.

I personally don't think Cairns is upto Tests yet.

OK here is my side....

Richardson
Vincent
McIntosh/Marshall
Fleming
McMillan
Styris
Oram/Wilson/Adams
Hart
Vettori
Tuffey
Butler

Mind you Butler go 51* today! :O

Jesse Ryder was in good nick as well I heard.

All I can say is that the NZ 'A' side will be packed will talent.

That sides looks alright...I don't know if Fleming would surrender #3 though.

If NZ were to play Adams, he really isn't a #7...maybe a #8 at best unless he's improved his defence over the winter.
He is more likely however of at least launching an attack at Shoaib, whereas Jacob Oram seems to go into his shell & then eventually get cleaned up.

Wilson is probably the big outside chance for the 1st test...I don't think he could bat any higher than #7 at this stage, but whatever sport he plays it seems he can slot in anywhere & still do good at it.
I think he could even rise above what he's currently playing like for Otago, he's just that type of player.

Ryder got 49 today though, but commited a huge crime by being stumped!?..still got a bit to learn I think.
He has had a reasonable start this season, but If he was in line to play for NZ in the tests it's probably over now that McIntosh has knocked up that century.

I was listening to Jeremy Coney today..he said he heard Bracewell say that he is looking for batsmen who can score centuries in 1 session. Well if thats the case then Richardson & McIntosh won't last long...I think if he's going along the lines of that, you should still need 2 guys there who can bat a whole day or even more.

I agree that NZ 'A' will be good..especially in the batting department.
When you look at Nicol, Ryder, Broom, Fulton, McIntosh, Taylor, Marshall & maybe even his brother James...batting will be at its strongest in years.
Bowling may still be a problem..I think we should be looking at selecting a few guys who can really send the ball down quickly rather than just picking the medium pacers as per usual.
But who? Joey Yovich & Richard Sherlock (who I have yet to see) are the only ones who come to mind.

You and I are fans of playing specialists and why are you suddenly taking Oram, Wilson and Adams' batting ability into question mate!

I don't care if they are tailenders and I don't care if they are wonderful batsmen, they are selected as bowlers and need to bowl well. The batters will do their job.

Yes with Hart there the batting is thin, and I have a feeling Bracewell will blood McCullum in this test match.

To me Wilson and Adams are better bowlers than Oram.

No no no no mate.

He said he is not looking for batsmen who can score centuries in one session.

It's in the paper as well.

I don't know if Oram will last long under Bracewell.

I think Bracewell may well tell Oram, either starting use his size to his advantage or go back to FC Cricket.
Oram should be able to belt alot of bowlers out of the park & technically he seems to be ok..but he goes into his shell & is too worried about playing the big shots.

Oh ok, well im pretty sure I heard Coney say the opposite, but then again im not 100% sure so i'll believe that he said what the papers have said then.