*Official* Group B Discussion - South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England

[Brett Dale]

We have enough bowlers to choose from, but boy oh boy our batsman arent up to frist class standard.

Put some of the ND guys in, judging by the stats.

[straw man]

Originally Posted by Athlai

Elliott at 3 could happen maybe or even Taylor.
Guppy
McCullum
Elliott/Taylor
Taylor/Elliott
Ryder
Broom
Franklin
Vettori
Mills
Tuffey
Bond

Looks better than at present. Probably Taylor at 3 I guess - hey, it might work .

Still Broom at 6 which I guess we'll just have to deal with at the moment. His ideal spot would seem to be 4 or 5, but as those spots are well and truly taken (Taylor, Ryder & Elliott all get first dibs) he probably shouldn't be in the team.

Wonder if Butler will be back for the next match - might push out Tuffey. Pretty similar as bowlers at present IMO so Butler gets in because he's the incumbent and as he's worth a few runs with the bat.

[straw man]

Originally Posted by Brett Dale

We have enough bowlers to choose from, but boy oh boy our batsman arent up to frist class standard.

Put some of the ND guys in, judging by the stats.

Go on, just say it... you want to see saviour of NZ cricket Kane Williamson in there

[straw man]

Tim McIntosh for opener?

[Athlai]

Originally Posted by straw man

tim mcintosh for opener?

(n)

[straw man]

jkng

[Howsie]

1.Guptill
2.Watling
3.Ryder
4.Taylor
5.Elliott
6.Stewart
7.McCullum

?

I really want to fit Franklin in there though. I'd probably give him a shot first over Stewart and if Stewart continues on with last year's form I'd bring him in for whoever isn't performing.

[Athlai]

McCullum could bat 6 fine.

[GingerFurball]

Christ, McCullum's been dire for a while now.

[Raghav]

Originally Posted by GingerFurball

Christ, McCullum's been dire for a while now.

McCullum is in ugly form and I do not want him to see opening innings again.

I'd love to see Brendon McCullum drop down to number six or seven and Guptill come up and join Jesse Ryder. I think those guys are in reasonable form and we know that McCullum isn't

With McCullum coming down the order, if he's got a target in his sight it will help his focus. He struggles to set up innings and he has done for a while now

I'd also bring (Neil) Broom, who has shown some form in the warm-up games, up to four or five to join (Grant) Elliott, and (Ross) Taylor would go into number three, where I think he could do some real damage in the first few overs.

[Athlai]

McCullum is certainly doing this because he has been asked to.

[DIRK-NANNES]

Originally Posted by Howsie

Shannon Stewart would be a very good 6-7 for New Zealand. He really killed it last season, I remember him scoring a 50 odd ball 80 not out against the Lions.

He's probably next in line and would be a good shout for 6, his 376 runs @ 41.77 was scored at almost a run a ball (SR 99.20).

Here are those A games vs the Lions for those interested.
1st unofficial ODI: New Zealand A v England Lions at Palmerston North, Mar 14, 2009 | Cricket Scorecard | Cricinfo.com
Only T20 Match: New Zealand A v England Lions at New Plymouth, Mar 19, 2009 | Cricket Scorecard | Cricinfo.com

[Zinzan]

Originally Posted by Athlai

Franklin vs. Kent
5/30
and currently 25* (31) in a 4 day match

vs Kent being the operative point - Not an International

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by Athlai

McCullum is certainly doing this because he has been asked to.

Batting slowly because he has been asked to?

If this is true then I am furious with Moles.

Go on, just say it... you want to see saviour of NZ cricket Kane Williamson in there

I think as desperate as we are - based on Kane's average showing for the A side recently I don't think he is ready for this level yet and it will damage his confidence to play too soon.

As for Franklin if we pick him for 20/20s and give him the odd run in an ODI I am ok with that. But I don't want to see him in a test match. His technique and footwork were poor in the India series. I think he is scoring his runs based on having a good temperament rather than a good technique - I don't think he can cut it at test match level as a top 7 batsman. If he gets picked for his bowling that is another matter.

Regarding Diamanti not getting picked last night. I think it must have been a situation of Daniel not rating Diamanti's batting ability. Diamanti was obviously picked by the selectors but Dan is sending a signal that he wouldn't have picked Diamanti for this tour had he been in charge. Perhaps Dan will bring back Styris who knows for future series.

[Athlai]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

Batting slowly because he has been asked to?

If this is true then I am furious with Moles.

I do believe that Moles said his strategy was for his guys to be something like 170/1-2 at the 35/40th over and launch. McCullum was told to build an innings.