**Official** New Zealand in South Africa

[NZTailender]

iirc after Vincent returned from the ICL he announced his intention to play for NZ again, scored some domestic T20 runs, then threw a public tanty when he wasn't picked straight away for the next NZ test series. This after making a big scene before storming off to the ICL in the first place.

He was hard done by pre-ICL a couple of times by the selectors but no way he deserves to have played tests since then.

When abouts was that? I can't remember the timeframe. All the IPL/ICL stuff blends together.

[Immenso]

There was an article in the paper today which was basically Sinclair and Vincent bitching about how they should keep getting opportunities even though they've been tried and failed many times because they've been scoring runs domestically and that the selectors should just pick the people that have been scoring runs

That's not the way I read it. In fact Sinclair was bigging up Aaron Redmond. Highlighting his current form andthat when he was dropped he had scored an 80 in that match.

[SeamUp]

Looks like the future is 2 test series between NZL and SAF. Just had a look at our next series in NZL and its 2 tests as well like this one. Unbelievable really.

[Flem274*]

What's with all the Vincent love? He hasn't scored a FC ton in years and is in his mid 30s. Considering his technique is very reliant on his eye and he isn't scoring runs at his age, it suggests in the whites his decline is terminal. Fulton probably shouldn't be there but he should be there before Lou Vincent.

A while ago I broke down Fulton's FC career and basically before the start of this season, the first half he was a beast and in the second half he averages mid 30s with a terribad conversion rate. Before this season, if you asked me about how good a player Fulton currently is in the Shield I would say his overall average massively flatters him.

Would've been an ideal time for Neil Broom to get a call up if they were looking for a player with a little bit of first-class experience, but he's not in great form so it's understandable they didn't go there.

Neil Broom is another who has fallen away over the previous 2 years or so. Has a ton to his name this season tbf but nothing else.

[Howsie]

Hopefully not. He's bloody average.

And Anderson has to be one of the most unexpected and undeserved selections I can remember. Bowled a total of 3 overs in domestic T20, averages 16 or something with the bat. Reward for staying fit for a few days in a row. I'd be surprised if he played Test cricket in the next 3 years - he's nowhere near it.

Colin de Grandhomme. 40 odd 20/20 games, terrible record, mid 20's, limited ability, there's one for you champ.

[Flem274*]

I raise you James "averaged 29 in FC when selected" Marshall

[SteveNZ]

Colin de Grandhomme. 40 odd 20/20 games, terrible record, mid 20's, limited ability, there's one for you champ.

But yet his batting average was about 10 higher than Anderson, strike rate way way better, had at least made a 50, less injury record, and bowled more overs. Oh and also played for NZ A and with a better FC record.

And..I said Anderson was one of the most undeserved. I didn't say he was the luckiest ever. Oh and if you can find it, I've said before that Colin didn't deserve to be picked but they saw ability (yes ability) and thought they could harness it. Same as they must be saying with Corey, coz it ain't on the pie chart.

Don't let the maroon blinkers hinder your vision friend.

[Halfpast_Yellow]

So what's the if-only dreamer's NZ test XI for this tour of SA?

Guptill
Flynn
Williamson
Taylor
Ryder
McCullum
Watling (wk)
Bracewell
Patel/4th pacer
Southee
Boult

?

[straw man]

When abouts was that? I can't remember the timeframe. All the IPL/ICL stuff blends together.

I have the same problem remembering these things - looked up and it was around 09/10 he was back. One of his comments was:

I came back to New Zealand to prove that I wanted to play cricket again and to tell the selectors that I want to play for New Zealand again. And I guess the ball is in their court. And yeah, if all else fails I might play against the Black Caps at the next Twenty20 World Cup for England

nuff said

[hendrix]

So what's the if-only dreamer's NZ test XI for this tour of SA?

Guptill
Flynn
Williamson
Taylor
Ryder
McCullum
Watling (wk)
Bracewell
Patel/4th pacer
Southee
Boult

?

IMO:
Guptill
McCullum
Flynn (left hander)
Taylor
Williamson
Ryder (left hander)
Watling (wk)
Bracewell
Southee
Boult
Patel

I want a left hander in the top 3 and I think Flynn has the technique for it.

Guptill and Ryder can bowl if needed. This would be a very good team.

[Prensel]

Guptil
McCullum
Williamson
Ryder
Taylor
Watling
Munro
Bracewell
Patel (Vetorri maybe, or pace)
Southee
Boult

Don't really like Flynn, still hasn't scored an 100..

[jcas0167]

Remember much else that he did?

My point was that after a debut like that, you don't need to do much else.

The main memory is him saying the Australian team were like a pack of dogs when he came into the ODI side when Astle retired in 2006/2007. He then played pretty well, got injured before the World Cup and went off to ICL.

Otherwise, after that excellent start he wasn't perhaps wasn't consistent enough opening and John Bracewell saw him as a middle order option. At the time with Fleming, Styris, Astle & McMillian that meant few opportunities. As an example, he had a pretty good home summer in 2005 against Australia and a top score of 224 against Sri Lanka, then after a 92 in Zimbabwe in 2005, didn't play in the test team again until in South Africa in November 2007. Then ICL.

Just checking his test innings on cricinfo and his performances opening were better than I remembered, including a century in India. But followed up with a bad home series against Pakistan in 2003 when Shoab Ahktar was in at his peak and was replaced by Papps.

[ohnoitsyou]

My point was that after a debut like that, you don't need to do much else.

The main memory is him saying the Australian team were like a pack of dogs when he came into the ODI side when Astle retired in 2006/2007. He then played pretty well, got injured before the World Cup and went off to ICL.

Otherwise, after that excellent start he wasn't perhaps wasn't consistent enough opening and John Bracewell saw him as a middle order option. At the time with Fleming, Styris, Astle & McMillian that meant few opportunities. As an example, he had a pretty good home summer in 2005 against Australia and a top score of 224 against Sri Lanka, then after a 92 in Zimbabwe in 2005, didn't play in the test team again until in South Africa in November 2007. Then ICL.

Just checking his test innings on cricinfo and his performances opening were better than I remembered, including a century in India. But followed up with a bad home series against Pakistan in 2003 when Shoab Ahktar was in at his peak and was replaced by Papps.

[ohnoitsyou]

Heres something different
Watling
Ryder
Williamson
Taylor
Flynn
Brownlie
DeBorder
Bracewell
Wagner/Martin
Southee
Boult

Time for McCullum to go, has had 70 tests, he hasn't shown he can adapt to the game, and his average isn't that much greater that a few former Blackcaps who got far fewer tests.
Guptill needs to get back playing domestics and County where he can spend some time at the crease and work on his technique.

[Blain]

^^^, you cant drop McCullum and have Watling, Flynn and Brownlie there instead. Yes he is frustrating at times, but to put him below 3 players, lets get real here.