Despite talking up Andrew Jones, he is more of a makeshift opener than Fleming so that would be my team too except I'd pick Nash instead of Doull.Could be fairly wrong here, but I'd go for
- Fleming *
- Richardson
- Williamson
- Crowe
- Taylor
- Watling +
- Cairns
- Vettori
- Boult
- Doull
- Bond
1st XI number 3 = KWWhy? 4th best NZ batsman of the era behind Crowe, Taylor and KW.
I would be very tempted to open with Jones instead of Fleming or BMac.
Despite looking ungainly at the crease he was less likely to be knocked over early like those two and when set didn't 'give it away' by mental lapses when past 50 or stupid slogging.
It is just that one of those two needs to captain, they looked better at the crease, and they have scored many of NZ's big 200+ score (Jones never got a double)
I don't think that the MCC rules would permit Flem to have two bats per innings 'Cane.1st XI number 3 = KW
2nd XI number 3 = Fleming
As for the number 4 and 5 spots in both teams.
1st XI = Crowe, Taylor
2nd XI = Fleming, BMac
At least by my rankings.
Fleming was vaaaaastly superior to Jones. Jones scored runs through sheer will power rather than talent and his innings were often selfish,
Thanks for catching that better edit my post.I don't think that the MCC rules would permit Flem to have two bats per innings 'Cane.
Sometimes will power is more effective at scoring runs than an incredible talent not realising its potential.
A run is still worth a run. I appreciate our personal views are contrary on this issue.
Yessum.Did Fleming ever open at Test cricket?
Yeah did very well opening with Richardson on 2004 tour of EnglandDid Fleming ever open at Test cricket?
Not even as a number 6?Yeah did very well opening with Richardson on 2004 tour of England
The way I look at it, Jones measured up pretty well (record-wise) against other players around the world during his era and probably could've made the West Indian and Pakistani sides as a 3/4 (best teams in the world at the time). Fleming wouldn't have got close to making the Australian, South African ior Indian sides in his era.
Let me fix this for you;Could be fairly wrong here, but I'd go for
- Fleming *
- Richardson
- Williamson
- Crowe
- Taylor
- Watling +
- Cairns
- Vettori
- Boult
- Doull
- Bond
Let me fix this for you.Let me fix this for you;
- Fleming *
- Richardson
- Williamson
- Crowe
- Taylor
- BMac +
- Cairns
- Vettori
- Southee
- Boult
- Bond
There, perfect now.
Watling as designated keeper 23 matches 37 innings 6 not outs 1440 runs 142* top score 46.45 average 4 centuries 9 fiftiesI love BJ (as most guys do), however I'm not sure he's done quite enough now to oust McCullum as best batsmen/keeper quite yet. Another year or two scoring the way he has been and he's in my XI though.
Yeah, as I said, he's not far off ousting McCullum in my side. I do still think McCullum was superior as a pure keeper, and that's a big factor for me. But if Watling averages over 35 for another year or so I won't be able to deny him anymore.Watling as designated keeper 23 matches 37 innings 6 not outs 1440 runs 142* top score 46.45 average 4 centuries 9 fifties
McCullum 52 matches 87 innings 2803 runs 185 top score 34.18 average 5 centuries 15 fifties
Watling has done enough in my book. He is averaging far more dismissals (catches and stumpings) but swing bowlers like Boult have a lot to do with that.
Thanks. But in fairness to other posters, there are others talking of Nash too in the thread below.Simon Doull quite underrated. Dion Nash too, it would seem
Edit: apart from Grumpy
Yeah - I've been thinking about Nash. In the end though, the three best seamers seems to be Bond, Cairns and Boult. o those three, supported by Jesse Ryder, and Vettori as the spinner, with Crowe and KW to bowl some overs gives NZ the long batting order that it needs to be ATG competitive.
But if you're going with Cairns to bat 6 instead of Ryder/Astle/McMillan then Nash certainly warrants a contest with Southee for team selection. Southee v Doull is also a close battle, but Nash has runs on his side to win the three way battle.