*Official* Double Match Day - NZ v Sri Lanka (27th Sept)

[Howsie]

That was a Bracewell idea. Though Bracewell let him play his natural game, Moles has told him to be a classic OD opener and has had pretty moderate success. I mean we get frustrated but 40 is better than 0. Would prefer him to play his natural game though

When Bracewell was in charge McCullum averaged 40 odd when opening (His second go at opening) I mean what kind of idiot would try and make or tell McCullum to bat like a classic opener.

The guy just isn't good enough period. I can't believe he is now a selector too

[Pratters]

Mathews is a naggingly good bowler, it must be said.

[Athlai]

Moles is an interesting coach but IMO besides Broom this is one of our strongest lineups in years.

[Pratters]

Moles is an interesting coach but IMO besides Broom this is one of our strongest lineups in years.

That might be true but I still don't rate the NZ batting. It is highly dependent on 2 players and they are not going to succeed every time.

[Somerset]

That was a Bracewell idea. Though Bracewell let him play his natural game, Moles has told him to be a classic OD opener and has had pretty moderate success. I mean we get frustrated but 40 is better than 0. Would prefer him to play his natural game though

To be fair though, when he was batting around number seven with success there was much advocation for him to be promoted up the order so his talent wasn't wasted when the overs ran out at the end of an innings - plus he's proven at domestic level how devestating he can be when he gets momentum, remembering the 170-odd for Otago against Auckland in a domestic semi-final or final. Whilst Bracewell might've been behind executing the decision it wasn't as though it was an altogether unpopular one at the time IMO (although obviously there were those who argued he was better to remain down the order).

[Howsie]

Moles is an interesting coach but IMO besides Broom this is one of our strongest lineups in years.

Broom isn't the problem. Give him half a chance (like today) and he'll put a score on the board.

I would like to see how Ross Taylor's career would have gone if he was made to play his first 10-15 games at 6-7.

[Athlai]

That might be true but I still don't rate the NZ batting. It is highly dependent on 2 players and they are not going to succeed every time.

Guptill, Ryder, Taylor, McCullum and Elliott are all good limited overs batsman.

A fit (that still had knees) Styris or McMillan would make this a pretty gun outfit.

[Athlai]

To be fair though, when he was batting around number seven with success there was much advocation for him to be promoted up the order so his talent wasn't wasted when the overs ran out at the end of an innings - plus he's proven at domestic level how devestating he can be when he gets momentum, remembering the 170-odd for Otago against Auckland in a domestic semi-final or final. Whilst Bracewell might've been behind executing the decision it wasn't as though it was an altogether unpopular one at the time IMO (although obviously there were those who argued he was better to remain down the order).

Just for the record I think he should open.

[Pratters]

Guptill, Ryder, Taylor, McCullum and Elliott are all good limited overs batsman.

A fit (that still had knees) Styris or McMillan would make this a pretty gun outfit.

McCullum is not making runs except very slowly.

Guptill and Elliott are not proven yet though I do rate Guptill

It is largely dependent on Taylor and Ryder the way I see it as it stands right now.

[thierry henry]

Broom isn't the problem. Give him half a chance (like today) and he'll put a score on the board.

I'll be interested to see what happens today and hope he does well, but he just doesn't look good enough. Like, he basically struggles to get bat on ball, even against Jayasuriya and Kandamby. From my POV the criticism of Broom is simply because, watching him bat, he doesn't look the part.

[thierry henry]

Why on Earth is Kandamby bowling btw? What's the rationale there. Surely they have enough overs in the other 6 bowlers to not need him.

[_Ed_]

That was soft.

[Athlai]

McCullum can't make runs except very slowly. I think there is a fair enough argument that he plays the sheet anchor role though as there is no one to do that for NZ (Vettori apparently isn't good enough).

Guptill and Elliott are not proven yet though I do rate Guptill

It is largely dependent on Taylor and Ryder the way I see it as it stands right now.

Not proven? Both Guptill and Elliott have almost the same amount of runs as Ryder.

[Howsie]

Haha oh well. Looks like Broom does suck


We are probably the worst team at this tournament.

[kingkallis]

And now broom goes as well...

Its time to send some Kiwis officials to SAF.....go get some fine talent! You dont have anything left in Kiwiland it seems!