*Official* New Zealand in India 2010

[Athlai]

I'll take avatar bets on Hopkins scoring more than 100 runs in the series and that he'll average more than 20.

 

[Hurricane]

Two week avatar bet that he won't average more than 20.00 you are on...

I will let straw man take the 100 run bet.

 

[Athlai]

Done.

 

[Prince EWS]

I'm with Athlai on this. Hopkins is under-rated. He's actually put the numbers on the board in the last few seasons to be considered as a specialist batting option even if McCullum decided to keep. Not that I'd flirt with the idea of doing so at all, but the fact that you could make a case for it says something.

 

[Athlai]

I'm with Athlai on this. Hopkins is under-rated. He's actually put the numbers on the board in the last few seasons to be considered as a specialist batting option even if McCullum decided to keep. Not that I'd flirt with the idea of doing so at all, but the fact that you could make a case for it says something.

Yeah I'm hardly advocating him as a top 6 batsman but there is definitely the runs on the board to make a case for that. Certainly done enough to bat at 7 for New Zealand.

 

[Hurricane]

I'm with Athlai on this. Hopkins is under-rated. He's actually put the numbers on the board in the last few seasons to be considered as a specialist batting option even if McCullum decided to keep. Not that I'd flirt with the idea of doing so at all, but the fact that you could make a case for it says something.

I realise he has had some recent uncharacteristic good seasons domestically. But not enough of them to warrant a case for being a specialist batsman for NZ and I don't see anyone making this case.

I am judging him based on how he looks in ODIs where he averages 14.5. Admittedly in that role he has to get on with it - often comes in when he has no time to settle down and play himself in - but he still doesn't look the goods against international bowling. Except for a couple of knocks against Aussie recently.

If we just went by FC form then Broom would be in the test team.

 

[BeeGee]

Let's remember who they played on this A tour shell we.

The opposition is irrelevant. Franklin was playing Zimbabwe A, Guptill was playing Zimbabwe A, Martin was playing Zimbabwe A. I'm comparing Franklin's performance against other players on the A tour who were selected in the test squad.

 

[Howsie]

The opposition is irrelevant. Franklin was playing Zimbabwe A, Guptill was playing Zimbabwe A, Martin was playing Zimbabwe A. I'm comparing Franklin's performance against other players on the A tour who were selected in the test squad.

Of course it's relevant, the bowling attack they were up against would hardly even be first class standard. I know I'd much rather see the selectors pick players on what they've done in domestic/international cricket over the past 12 months then go on what certain players have done in Zimbabwe for two and a half weeks.

 

[BeeGee]

You seem to be completely missing my point, so let me ask specific questions instead.

Of course it's relevant, the bowling attack they were up against would hardly even be first class standard.

If the Zim A attack is so weak, why did Guptill only average 36 against them while Franklin averaged 60?

I know I'd much rather see the selectors pick players on what they've done in domestic/international cricket over the past 12 months then go on what certain players have done in Zimbabwe for two and a half weeks.

What has Guptill done in the last 12 months to justify the selectors faith in him over a player like Franklin?

 

[Prince EWS]

I am judging him based on how he looks in ODIs where he averages 14.5

Which is, really, a terrible way to judge someone's Test prospects. Hopkins played several of those ODIs before his noticeable improvement as a batsman, not to mention the fact that he was playing a role completely unsuited to him, or the fact that he's a much better First Class batsman than he is a one day batsman anyway.

It's actually quite similar to the Broom case which you also brought up.. Broom should be right in the mix for a Test middle order opportunity. He never should've played ODIs to begin with - much like Hopkins - and unsurprisingly he failed in them - much like Hopkins.

Look, I wouldn't pick Hopkins as a specialist batsman either, but the fact that if I actually did think it was a good idea I could build a very convincing case for it with the numbers shows that he's more than qualified to bat seven or eight where he'll be playing.

 

[Howsie]

If the Zim A attack is so weak, why did Guptill only average 36 against them while Franklin averaged 60?

What has Guptill done in the last 12 months to justify the selectors faith in him over a player like Franklin?

I don't know, perhaps it was the runs he scored for New Zealand in the last three test matches against Bangladesh and Australia.

Personally I wouldn't have even selected Guptill because he isn't close to being a good test batsmen yet, but you're reading far too much into the Zimbabwe tour. I doubt the selectors would have even given the stats a second look, they count for very little. This tour was nothing more then a goodish warm up for the test players before the Indian series.

 

[Polo23]

I'm worried about Hopkins dodgy keeping. His keeping is pretty average, especially standing up to the stumps where he will be a lot during this Indian series.

 

[Howsie]

I'm worried about Hopkins dodgy keeping. His keeping is pretty average, especially standing up to the stumps where he will be a lot during this Indian series.

Yeah, his average keeping will see him get the ass before his batting imo.

 

[Flem274*]

Which is, really, a terrible way to judge someone's Test prospects. Hopkins played several of those ODIs before his noticeable improvement as a batsman, not to mention the fact that he was playing a role completely unsuited to him, or the fact that he's a much better First Class batsman than he is a one day batsman anyway.

It's actually quite similar to the Broom case which you also brought up.. Broom should be right in the mix for a Test middle order opportunity. He never should've played ODIs to begin with - much like Hopkins - and unsurprisingly he failed in them - much like Hopkins.

Look, I wouldn't pick Hopkins as a specialist batsman either, but the fact that if I actually did think it was a good idea I could build a very convincing case for it with the numbers shows that he's more than qualified to bat seven or eight where he'll be playing.

awta

 

[Cricket_God]

Anything Less than a 3-0 in test series will be a great performance for nz,looking forward to watching bennet.

 

[NZTailender]

It's actually quite similar to the Broom case which you also brought up.. Broom should be right in the mix for a Test middle order opportunity. He never should've played ODIs to begin with - much like Hopkins - and unsurprisingly he failed in them - much like Hopkins.

Scored 91 for North East Valley against University Grange on the weekend, so is in form

Derek de Border notched a fine century in the same innings, too. Maybe he should be our new keeper & number 7...

Edit: happy birthday to him too!

 

[Halfpast_Yellow]

Wouldn't it be 'funny' if both McCullum fails hard and Hopkins tops the run aggregate for NZ but does a terrible job of keeping.

Wonder where the NZ selectors would go

 

[straw man]

I'll take avatar bets on Hopkins scoring more than 100 runs in the series and that he'll average more than 20.

You're on, Zoidberg. I'll even let you have the even-100 (how nice).

Hopkins is mooooooore than welcome to prove me wrong too.

 

[Athlai]

You're on, Zoidberg. I'll even let you have the even-100 (how nice).

Hopkins is mooooooore than welcome to prove me wrong too.

Bet is on for till the new year (if I lose to Hurricane and you I'll do his first and then yours)

Deal?

 

[Flem274*]

If Athlai wins he should make your avatar the cricinfo profile pic of Hopkins (or one with a glint of sun on his head) with the words "The shining light" below.