**Official** New Zealand in South Africa

[Days of Grace]

McCullum (****)
Guptill
Williamson
Flynn
Brownlie
Franklin
Watling (wk)
Bracewell
Southee
Patel
Boult

Gun bowling attack. Tail probably starts at no.4 against South Africa at home in all honesty. Whilst our no.4 and no.5 sit at home, perfectly healthy. Thank you, NZC.

Back to what we have to work with, is Fulton pushing for a place in the middle order or as an opener?

[Xuhaib]

backing SA to do a double wash this home season both NZ and Pakistan seem mediocre opponents to me.

[hendrix]

We are going to get pasted, which I don't mind, but here's some progress I want to see:

• Flynn to finally kick on and score a century.

• Williamson to become more consistent

• Patel to pick up a few more wickets against poorer players of spin

• Southee and Boult to continue where they left off

• NZ batsmen to post over 400 at least once

I will be relatively happy with the progress (bar obvious treatment of Taylor) if this happens.

[Bahnz]

Originally Posted by Days of Grace

Gun bowling attack. Tail probably starts at no.4 against South Africa at home in all honesty. Whilst our no.4 and no.5 sit at home, perfectly healthy. Thank you, NZC.

I know we're all very angry at the NZC right now, but I don't think you can seriously blame Jesse's absence on anyone besides Jesse.

[ohnoitsyou]

Originally Posted by Bahnz

I know we're all very angry at the NZC right now, but I don't think you can seriously blame Jesse's absence on anyone besides Jesse.

yeah Jesse just doesn't seem that passionate about the game, if you check his Twitter it kind of implies that he is into Basketball and League more than Cricket.

[BeeGee]

Originally Posted by hendrix

We are going to get pasted, which I don't mind, but here's some progress I want to see:

...

I will be relatively happy with the progress (bar obvious treatment of Taylor) if this happens.

Hmmmmm.... chances... imo...

• Flynn to finally kick on and score a century. - 5%

• Williamson to become more consistent - 15%

• Patel to pick up a few more wickets against poorer players of spin - 10%

• Southee and Boult to continue where they left off - 60%

• NZ batsmen to post over 400 at least once - 2%

[Flem274*]

Haha, we're not posting 400. If it happens I will take Mike Hesson as my avatar for x amount of days to be dictated by the top scorer (1 run = 1 day).

[Flametree]

Originally Posted by Days of Grace

McCullum (****)
Guptill
Williamson
Flynn
Brownlie
Franklin
Watling (wk)
Bracewell
Southee
Patel
Boult

Gun bowling attack. Tail probably starts at no.4 against South Africa at home in all honesty.

I don't disagree that this is a likely line-up, but what the f... has Franklin done to deserve a spot? Or is it his known strong footwork against good fast bowling that gets him into the side??

[Days of Grace]

Originally Posted by Flametree

I don't disagree that this is a likely line-up, but what the f... has Franklin done to deserve a spot? Or is it his known strong footwork against good fast bowling that gets him into the side??

You'd rather have Fulton?

Can someone tell me whether Fulton is there as a backup opener, an opener with McCullum moving down, or as a middle order player?

[BeeGee]

Originally Posted by Flametree

...but what the f... has Franklin done to deserve a spot?

He was one of the senior players who supported the leadership coup.

[Mike5181]

Originally Posted by Days of Grace

You'd rather have Fulton?

Can someone tell me whether Fulton is there as a backup opener, an opener with McCullum moving down, or as a middle order player?

Hesson told Fulton he should prepare to bat anywhere in the order apparently.

[Days of Grace]

I agree that Jimmeh is not flavor of the month here. This is his last chance for me. Show some spine, ffs.

[hendrix]

Originally Posted by Mike5181

Hesson told Fulton he should prepare to bat anywhere in the order apparently.

[jcas0167]

Originally Posted by Flametree

I don't disagree that this is a likely line-up, but what the f... has Franklin done to deserve a spot? Or is it his known strong footwork against good fast bowling that gets him into the side??

Hoping for a repeat of this:

Franklin went to his century with a straight drive for four off fast bowler Dale Steyn.

Maiden Franklin ton heaps misery on South Africa | India - Oneindia News

[BeeGee]

Originally Posted by Mike5181

Hesson told Fulton he should prepare to bat anywhere in the order apparently.

How do you prepare to bat anywhere in the order?

So he must be the general reserve batsman or Hesson has no idea what the batting plan is.