** Official ** Sri Lanka in New Zealand tour

[anzac]

Correct, but pretty much all our batsmen with the exception of Oram struggled in that test series in Australia.

How quickly we seem to have forgotten his match winning 170 coming in at 3 against S.Africa last year as well as his excellent test century against England in the 3rd test.

He has got an average of 40 in test cricket with 4 century's in around 19 matches. And he is more than handy with the ball.

but too many good middle order batsmen is definately a problem for NZ at the moment.

prior to this series I've been questioning Astle's selection almost as much as McMillan's - and IMO this last series has done quite a bit to prolong the careers for a number of players - C Martin, Franklin, Astle & Vincent................if Astle had not been taking wicket, had not scored a ton & Styris was still a bowling option then yes I'd have him in my starting lineup ahead of Astle...............

 

[anzac]

and just to further muddy the waters...............

IMO Vincent would do alright Opening in RSA as IMO he enjoys those sort of pitches & bowling...............

 

[anzac]

my biggest concern would be who'd organise the lower order like he has done esp in the 2nd innings?????

 

[anzac]

congrads to the boys on a big win................

but I've still concerns that the bowling is still too inconsistant for this level.............

and by the sounds of it the SRL batsmen had a very NZL type batting effort in this test - inconsistant application & too many loose shots...............whereas someone has said that NZL performed more in line with AUS efforts with good partnerships & solid contributions throughout..............

 

[Sir Redman]

my biggest concern would be who'd organise the lower order like he has done esp in the 2nd innings?????

Hopefully, McCullum will really step up and take that responsibility. Otherwise I guess it will be more reliance on the likes of Vettori and Franklin to give us a respectable total.

 

[Sir Redman]

and by the sounds of it the SRL batsmen had a very NZL type batting effort in this test - inconsistant application & too many loose shots...............whereas someone has said that NZL performed more in line with AUS efforts with good partnerships & solid contributions throughout..............

Agreed our batting display was very well rounded. One of the problems with our batsmen has always been that they maintain their averages through a century/80-odd every 5 tests (McMillan, anyone?). Other than that they get nothing. I guess this is one of the main reasons for our second innings collapses - everyone has an "off" innings at the same time.

 

[psxpro]

and just to further muddy the waters...............

IMO Vincent would do alright Opening in RSA as IMO he enjoys those sort of pitches & bowling...............

NO WAY.

Vincent should be left in the middle order, his biggest weakness in the new ball, do you remember how he got worked out by the pakistani bowlers? Imo if he opens he will get a lot of single figure scores vs pollock and nitini.
He should be left in the middle order.
Styris stilld deserves a place in the team, he has played some superb knocks for nz, That 170 vs sa when he came in at 12/2 was on of the best test innings by a nzer I can recall in recent years (i was there at the ground that day).
But I like Astle too.
I still see no reason why astle would be bad opening? he would score more runs than cumming imo and I think a positive start is just what we need. it could well help to solve our 2nd innings disasters, if we are 50/0 after 10 overs and astle has got us off to a flier, 2nd innings might look a whole lot easier.

 

[Ming]

NO WAY.

Vincent should be left in the middle order, his biggest weakness in the new ball, do you remember how he got worked out by the pakistani bowlers? Imo if he opens he will get a lot of single figure scores vs pollock and nitini.

Yet you think Nathan Astle should open in Tests....

 

[Kippax]

I think Styris is the most at risk, as with little/no cricket between now and August he may struggle to adjust to the highest level again.

It's worth noting that Styris will start his season with Middlesex shortly. Generally county scores are a bit misleading, but thanks to Vincent, I'm sure that stint suddenly means more to him than just extra cash.

Other Kiwis to keep an eye on in the Cricinfo live scores section are Fleming (Notts), Andre Adams (Essex), and there was this article on Monday about Bracewell trying to tee up something for Hamish -
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3243662a10133,00.html

 

[marc71178]

Vincent's abilities with the gloves gives him an edge.............

So that would mean dropping McCullum?

 

[marc71178]

not that hot really...............a total of 70 runs in 4 digs in AUS prior to injury.........

4 innings is a tad shorter than 6 years though!!!

 

[psxpro]

Yet you think Nathan Astle should open in Tests....

They are completely different players, Astle always starts better than vincent and knows how to play the new ball better.

 

[Ming]

You obviously haven't seen much of Astle, if you think Astle starts well against the new ball, he's always been suspect at the start of his innings against the new ball. There is no need to move Astle to open at all.

 

[Gangster]

I will hold you to that d1ck. Richardson will bounce back and have an awesome series. Mark my words..

how'd he do?

 

[Will Scarlet]

I can't believe anyone would be suggesting promoting either Astle or Vincent to opener. It's a specialist role that should not be attempted by middle order batsmen. At worst a #3 could fill the role, depending on their exposure to the new ball.

Styris would need to do a lot to qualify for a touring spot IMO. Take Fulton and How to ZIM.

And I don't see how Bracewell can justify saying James Marshall has been such a great success. One 50 in five innings? And a scratchy one at that. Hamish Marshall, certainly.

Shame that Wiseman was unable to perform when given the opportunity to be the lone spinner. He was very ordinary against SL.

 

[anzac]

NO WAY.

Vincent should be left in the middle order, his biggest weakness in the new ball, do you remember how he got worked out by the pakistani bowlers? Imo if he opens he will get a lot of single figure scores vs pollock and nitini.
He should be left in the middle order.

I agree that he should be left in the middle order - just making an observation..............
that series v PAK was on typical NZL type pitches from memory - early movement & swing with low bounce etc...........

it seems to me that he likes the ball coming onto the bat with some bounce - based primarily upon his efforts at Perth admittedly - until this series his average Away was basically double that at Home...............better pitches?????

 

[anzac]

Hopefully, McCullum will really step up and take that responsibility. Otherwise I guess it will be more reliance on the likes of Vettori and Franklin to give us a respectable total.

haven't seen too many signs of that at Test level this summer from McCullum - rather I'd say he's gone a bit 'the Macca way' - too hard too early.........

 

[anzac]

So that would mean dropping McCullum?

no it means that in a head to head comparison Astle & Vincent have 2nd strings to their bows, whereas Styris perhaps does not if he is no longer a bowling option........all 3 have skills in the field - by selecting Vincent as potential cover for McCullum allows the selectors to not take a 2nd specialist 'keeper in the squad...........

 

[anzac]

4 innings is a tad shorter than 6 years though!!!

Macca???????

I'm just advocating current form at this level as opposed to career form & past deeds.........Styris will need to find strong form at County level & hopefuly the 'A' series schedule will allow for players in that series to also make the ZIM/RSA tour..............

 

[anzac]

They are completely different players, Astle always starts better than vincent and knows how to play the new ball better.

if I have a complaint about the likes of Astle Styris it is that they go too hard at the ball too early (hands wise), and that they look to try & get their early innings going by trying to find the fence to impose some authority in the middle......

I'd rather see softer hands & use the pace off the pitch & more SS to pick up singles & rotate the strike.............

IMO the biggest failing with a low % of SS in the NZL batting is that while the scorecard may be ticking over, the bowlers are still able to put plans together as there is little rotation.........the same effect as having a defensive batsman................

this for me is one of the biggest contributors to the batting collapses (along with the 'convert'/skills issue) - 2 batsmen going hard at the bowling, finding the boundary but basically playing from the same end - if they are away from the strike for any time they can go 'cold' and not adjust their approach & give away too many 'soft' dismissals.....

Vincent this season has shown that he's more circumspect in this regard.....

so far as Astle being the better starter - remeber all the debate regarding his position in the OD side - to open or not........