***Official*** New Zealand in Bangladesh & Sri Lanka 2013

[hendrix]

'Corey Anderson' and 'accomplished' shouldn't be used together at all. Some of the worst shot selection and play of lateral movement in the whole vault belongs to that guy.

Hey I'm allowed to hype him up to pre-selection Wagner levels if I want to. The shattering of disillusions is an integral component of being a NZ cricket fan.

also re:shot selection: Jesse Ryder.

 

[Bahnz]

I would actually have McCullum on the chopping block over Brownlie because he can't score on seaming pitches, turning pitches or under serious pressure unless it's a road (barring his double ton, which I hoped was a turning point). For all Brownlie's faults against spin, he has made runs when the chips are down against good pace attacks in difficult situations. McCullum is the perfect example of what Burgey would call a downhill skier, which is why he bats six.

But I know it's a pipe dream. McCullum is a good tactician, fielder, gloveman and final nail in the coffin though. Arguably NZ's best gloveman ever imo.

Setting aside the obvious fact that McCullum is the captain and therefore nigh-undroppable, there's also the issue that the two have only been competing for the middle-order spots since March, so it's difficult to really say who has the edge in terms of pure batsmanship. But it's worth noting that McCullum produced some really excellent performances in the last couple of years of his time as the keeper-batsman (His 97 at Lords in 08 and his 100 v Aus at the Basin in particular).

 

[hendrix]

08 is 5 years ago...

 

[Bahnz]

08 is 5 years ago...

Umm, so? You have to go back that far for the last time he was a regular in the middle-order. And it's not exactly like his style of play has changed that much over the years, or that he's an old man on the cusp of retirement.

 

[hendrix]

Umm, so? You have to go back that far for the last time he was a regular in the middle-order. And it's not exactly like his style of play has changed that much over the years, or that he's an old man on the cusp of retirement.

I think I misread your post. I agree that he's not droppable at this point as he's definitely one of the top 6 batsmen in the country.

TBH I think he's fine against seam or spin; it's his brain that gets him out not his technical deficiencies.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

McMillan is a batting coach?

This is going to be fun.

has been busy telling the batsmen to bowl more bouncers

 

[Flem274*]

I think I misread your post. I agree that he's not droppable at this point as he's definitely one of the top 6 batsmen in the country.

TBH I think he's fine against seam or spin; it's his brain that gets him out not his technical deficiencies.

and that's why he's not very good against seam or spin.

 

[RxGM]

The thing to remember is that while that bowling lineup looks a bit average the Bangladeshi batting (despite finally achieving some progress in the last couple of years) is still pretty feeble. It would be hugely disappointing (and highly indicative of the importance of Southee) if the bowling is unable to take 20 wickets even in unfriendly conditions.

I disagree on that at least when you compare it to us, over the last 3 years the entire NZ team has had a batting average of 27, compared to Bangladesh's of 30 (all other teams exluding RSA, Zim and England are between 32 and 34), so bangladesh is getting closer. Players like Iqbal, Shakib and Rahim would easily make our side (for a test in Bangladesh) and they bat deep. What has let bangaldesh down is there inability to take 20 wickets, over the last three years they have taken wickets at an average of 50.

Given that the tests are probably going to be rain affected, even with Southee I think we would struggle to take 40 wickets over the series unless we can get regular swing

Team records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

Team records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[Bahnz]

I disagree on that at least when you compare it to us, over the last 3 years the entire NZ team has had a batting average of 27, compared to Bangladesh's of 30 (all other teams exluding RSA, Zim and England are between 32 and 34), so bangladesh is getting closer. Players like Iqbal, Shakib and Rahim would easily make our side (for a test in Bangladesh) and they bat deep. What has let bangaldesh down is there inability to take 20 wickets, over the last three years they have taken wickets at an average of 50.

Given that the tests are probably going to be rain affected, even with Southee I think we would struggle to take 40 wickets over the series unless we can get regular swing

Team records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

Team records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

A few things:

a) New Zealand's low average during that period is partly an artifact of playing so many matches away from home. From October 2010 to now, we've played only 36% of our matches on home soil, which is bound to drive down the overall team batting average.

b) Bangladesh has not played a single test match against one of the big 4 (India, Aus, SA or England) in that time period, and have played more than a quarter of their matches against Zimbabwe. By comparison, nearly 70% of New Zealand's matches during this period where against top 4 opposition, and only 2/25 were against Zim (and none against Bangladesh).

c) The merits of the Bangladeshi batting lineup compared to New Zealand's has nothing to do with how they'll fare against our bowlers. I think it's pretty commonly accepted that the disparity in quality between our batsmen and our bowlers has reached almost comical proportions at this point.

None of this is to say that Bangladesh haven't improved as a batting lineup.

 

[Kippax]

Weather looks alright -

Cricket: New approach to future tours - Cricket News - Radio Sport - New Zealand's Premier Sports Station

The Black Caps will enjoy extensive buildups to every future tour they embark on.

The side is currently in Sri Lanka preparing for the series against Bangladesh which is still more than a week away.

New Zealand Cricket CEO David White says they'll do it for every tour.

"After a significant amount of planning, identified weaknesses in our programme previously and we want to leave no stone unturned to make sure that our guys are the best prepared they can be to perform.

"We're going to prepare our teams like this for all tours in the future. That's what we've decided to do."

The first test against Bangladesh begins next Wednesday.

 

[Raghav]

Is Abdur Razzak playing the first test? Or Is he selected only as a emergency bowler for the tour!

 

[hendrix]

I think the latter, he's generally considered an ODI specialist these days isn't he?

 

[Raghav]

I think the latter, he's generally considered an ODI specialist these days isn't he?

Yeah, he is! We cant deny his limited overs' abilities. What makes me think is - Why did Bangladesh go back to him, when they needed a replacement bowler? They should have included someone younger (who might get experience on the tour). Are the bowling resources so weak for Bangladesh atm?

 

[Prince EWS]

It's not a tour though; it's a home series.

 

[Prince EWS]

Anyway, Kippax posted an article earlier that contained this quote from Bashar:

If you look at his (Razzak) performance in the domestic longer-version competitions, he has been quite successful. We observed that he made changes to his bowling; he is now giving the ball more loop and getting more turn. Considering everything, we picked him over Enam (Enamul Haque),

So that's why he's been recalled.

 

[Raghav]

That means, he might be playing in XI then...

 

[RxGM]

A few things:

a) New Zealand's low average during that period is partly an artifact of playing so many matches away from home. From October 2010 to now, we've played only 36% of our matches on home soil, which is bound to drive down the overall team batting average.

b) Bangladesh has not played a single test match against one of the big 4 (India, Aus, SA or England) in that time period, and have played more than a quarter of their matches against Zimbabwe. By comparison, nearly 70% of New Zealand's matches during this period where against top 4 opposition, and only 2/25 were against Zim (and none against Bangladesh).

c) The merits of the Bangladeshi batting lineup compared to New Zealand's has nothing to do with how they'll fare against our bowlers. I think it's pretty commonly accepted that the disparity in quality between our batsmen and our bowlers has reached almost comical proportions at this point.

None of this is to say that Bangladesh haven't improved as a batting lineup.

Points A and B are valid, I just dont think that this Bangladesh batting line up is as bad as we all make out.

Graph does look promising, though 2008 tour was exactly the same time of year and was heavily rain afected

 

[RxGM]

Mike Hesson appears largely decided on his Black Caps 11 for the first test against Bangladesh starting next week.

The New Zealand side has arrived in Bangladesh to prepare for the first test after spending eight days in Sri Lanka as a tour warm up.

Coach Hesson says there's one question still remaining.

"Whether Corey Anderson's shown enough to be able to give us that all-round capability, that's something that we'll consider further. He's been a bit sick, as have a few others the last few days so that adds to the mix as well."

The Black Caps take on a Bangladesh XI in a three-day match beginning in Chittagong this afternoon.

Cricket: First test lineup almost set - Cricket News - Radio Sport - New Zealand's Premier Sports Station

Nice to finally know what was wrong with Anderson, looks like they are seriously considering him as the all rounder.

If they have already decided on the bowling attach Gillespie didnt do enough in they eyes of the selectors to displace Bracewell imo so side for first test will be

Fulton, Rutherford, Williamson, Taylor, Brownlie/Anderson, McCullum, Watling, Bracewell, Martin, Wagner, Boult

 

[Days of Grace]

If Anderson plays (which I like the sound of), then McCullum has to bat ahead of him.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

wonder how much cricket will be played at this time of the year in BD, its been raining pretty heavily all around the country

Chittagong Weather Forecast