*Official* New Zealand in India 2010

[Checkmate]

Haha that truly is astonishing.

Not that surprising really. We've played outside the subcontinent once (NZ) since summer 2007 so these guys have categorically been playing on flat tracks. I think Zaheer-Sree-Ishant if they stay fit will be a real handful in SA and England.

Edit: Oops I meant twice. Australia 07/08 too.

 

[Jono]

What makes you think New Zealand bowlers will do any better in India SS?

 

[Jono]

Not that surprising really. We've played outside the subcontinent once (NZ) since summer 2007 so these guys have categorically been playing on flat tracks. I think Zaheer-Sree-Ishant if they stay fit will be a real handful in SA and England.

Edit: Oops I meant twice. Australia 07/08 too.

I agree, but those were 2010 stats mate.

I was more finding Zaheer's figures astonishing compared to the rest. He's outbowled Harbhajan comprehensively in India!

 

[Checkmate]

I agree, but those were 2010 stats mate.

I was more finding Zaheer's figures astonishing compared to the rest. He's outbowled Harbhajan comprehensively in India!

Yea he really is something. Reverse swing ftw!

 

[Shri]

If Ishant Shrama bowls anything like what he bowled in his last innings, Zaheer's work will be easier. I personally think Venkatesh Prasad screwed up while coaching Sharma and Zaheer's absence from the field contributed to his woeful form too. Only a matter of time before he starts delivering the goods again. Had already started to hit the high 130Ks in his last test, will surely improve with a bit of a confidence boost.

 

[Hurricane]

Hopkins is a better batsman than Watling anyway, particularly in the lower order.

*hides from BJ fanboys*

Trolling

Seriously though you need a good glovesman for a test match. Didn't Haddin let through 50 byes in one inning when he was slightly injured. Plus imagine if Hopkins drops Sehwag in a diving catch. Hopkins may look bad standing up to the stumps. But he looks ok to the medium pacers.

I think if he doesn't perform with the gloves consistently then Van Wyk should get a go on the next series.

If Watling wants to be a keeper he should negotiate with a province that needs a keeper and move there.

 

[Jarquis]

About our bowling:-



To further show how **** we are apart from Zaheer:-

Indian bowling figures in 2010:

Zaheer Khan - 34 wickets in 6 games @ 22.7
.
.
H'jan Singh - 25 wickets in 7 games @ 43.24
Ishant Sharma - 22 wickets in 8 games @ 44.72
Pragyan Ojha - 27 wickets in 6 games @ 47.14
Amit Mishra - 15 wickets in 4 games @ 42.2
Abhimanyu Mithun - 6 wickets in 3 games @ 62
Sreesanth - 4 wickets in 2 games @ 58.75

That's how sad our bowling is, atm.

Zaheer's law states that 2 tests played equates to 4 tests lost to injury. So yeah Zaheer injures himself, and he probably will, We'll have a tough time penetrating any batting line up on flat decks.

What about SehWAG?

 

[Howsie]

Bah, New Zealand's going in with a two seam/two spin bowling attack - with Bennett and Martin being the two seamers. Dropping your two best performing seam bowlers from your last test series is bad enough, but to play two bowlers that haven't actually performed in yonks over them is almost laughable.

Throw in the fact that Bennett's on debut and Williamson's spin is more then handy enough it just doesn't make sense.

 

[Blakey]

Bennett could barely bowl three overs in a row in Bangladesh, while his speeds dropped dramatically. If they are playing him due to his extra pace how do they expect him to create pressure if he runs out of gas so early? Plus Indian conditions will be pretty similar to Bangladesh's i.e. not that condusive to pace bowling.

They should be playing Southee instead of Bennett.

NZ has the compelling history of playing players out of form into it. Expecting the same again.

 

[Blakey]

Also, surely they will play a second specialist spinner and not rely on Williamson in his first test to think about batting AND bowling.

Not that I would call Patel an effective spinner but he's been taken for a reason.

 

[BeeGee]

Bah, New Zealand's going in with a two seam/two spin bowling attack - with Bennett and Martin being the two seamers. Dropping your two best performing seam bowlers from your last test series is bad enough, but to play two bowlers that haven't actually performed in yonks over them is almost laughable.

Throw in the fact that Bennett's on debut and Williamson's spin is more then handy enough it just doesn't make sense.

Has the team been published somewhere?

 

[Woodster]

Surely that team selection would be a huge gamble, going only for two specialist quicks with one being so inexperienced in these conditions and at this level. Part-time spin is also a risky choice, as the Indian line-up will feast on such offerings. Cannot believe that will be the selection.

 

[Athlai]

Also, surely they will play a second specialist spinner and not rely on Williamson in his first test to think about batting AND bowling.

Not that I would call Patel an effective spinner but he's been taken for a reason.

Yeah I agree with both points really. Let Williamson worry about his batting and lets expect the worst (but hope for the best) with Jeets.

This was always going to be a tough tour.

 

[Athlai]

I do think Southee should play ahead of Bennett though.

 

[Flem274*]

So we really have two bowlers with any hope of doing anything?

 

[Athlai]

So we really have two bowlers with any hope of doing anything?

We have two bowlers with any hope of doing anything?

 

[Flem274*]

We have two bowlers with any hope of doing anything?

Yeah, Williamson and Ryder.

 

[Prince EWS]

Bah, New Zealand's going in with a two seam/two spin bowling attack - with Bennett and Martin being the two seamers. Dropping your two best performing seam bowlers from your last test series is bad enough, but to play two bowlers that haven't actually performed in yonks over them is almost laughable.

Throw in the fact that Bennett's on debut and Williamson's spin is more then handy enough it just doesn't make sense.

That's ridiculous.

My predictions:

Patel to take 1/100 in the first innings.
Ryder to get injured bowling.
Bennett to go for over 5rpo.
Martin to take 2 or less wickets in the match.
Williamson to finally get a bowl when the game is dead and take three quick wickets to make people wonder what if.

All of those could be solved by playing the best attack.

 

[freckleslol]

Team published here: Paint by numbers for Black Caps batsmen | Stuff.co.nz

Absolutely bizarre. Does Bennett getting Bangladeshi tail-enders out at the death and getting tired after bowling four-over spells qualify him to be one of two main pace bowlers against India?

As for our 'spin twins' - best of luck.

 

[Bahnz]

Has the team been published somewhere?

No, but Vettori and Greatbatch have made several statements that basically sets the team in stone:

McCullum
McIntosh
Watling
Taylor
Ryder
Williamson
Vettori
Hopkins
Patel
Bennett
Martin

McCullum WILL open, Bennett and Williamson WILL debut and Patel WILL play.