Mingster
State Regular
It will be interesting won't it, with Papps in line for the opening slot and with Cairns finding bowling and batting form at just the right time. And with Astle definitely ruled out of the Test series, who will take his spot? Will it be Cairns batting at 6? Or will the selectors give Peter Fulton or another rising star a chance? Vincent (5) and Sinclair (3) should come back into considerations.
Cairns is the main dilemma for me. He seems to be getting his pace back and has looked more dangerous at the bowling crease than Jacob Oram, who hasn't had the best or series. Cairns has never been a 6 Test batsman, he has had most of his success batting at 7. I would be tempted to play him lower down, to give the side more batting strength. He would be a good toil to a Tuffey and Mason/Butler as the change bowler.
Brendon McCullum. His time has come.
My XIII:
Richardson, Papps, Fleming, Styris, Vincent/Fulton/Sinclair, McMillan, Cairns, Oram, McCullum, Vettori, Tuffey, Mason, Butler or Wilson
Cairns is the main dilemma for me. He seems to be getting his pace back and has looked more dangerous at the bowling crease than Jacob Oram, who hasn't had the best or series. Cairns has never been a 6 Test batsman, he has had most of his success batting at 7. I would be tempted to play him lower down, to give the side more batting strength. He would be a good toil to a Tuffey and Mason/Butler as the change bowler.
Brendon McCullum. His time has come.
My XIII:
Richardson, Papps, Fleming, Styris, Vincent/Fulton/Sinclair, McMillan, Cairns, Oram, McCullum, Vettori, Tuffey, Mason, Butler or Wilson
Last edited: