***Official*** West Indies in New Zealand

[Blaze]

There's no room for Ross Taylor IMO, who would you drop?

Hamish Marshall? No, he's starting to come right and has proven his class in the past
Jamie How? No, he didn't do too badly against Sri Lanka, and has scored well in the State Shield
Nathan Astle? As I said yesterday and Boock said this morning, he'll be needed for his part-time bowling and seems to be coming right again.
Lou Vincent? No way, after his most successful year in ODI year (2005)

Drop How IMO.. There is no room for another opener. Fleming, Astle, Vincent and How all open in the one day game. There is only room for 3 of them at most.

 

[Blaze]

Ewen Thompson has had his share of injuries, but if he can put a couple of seasons back to back staying injury free..he could be useful for NZ. I think he's got potential to be a 3rd or 4th change bowler for NZ and handy #9 hitter.
I think he's only 26 so it won't be too late to pick him.

I was just thinking the same thing. He has pretty good stats.

Actually there is a lot to like about the whole CD side. They rely on specialists rather than all rounders. They have 5 specialist bats, a keeper and 5 quick bowlers all of whom are pretty accurate and do a good job.

 

[Tim]

The latest word is that Mills will also miss the cut. Michael Mason is likely to get the recall.

Paul Hitchcock will apparently make the Twenty20 side.

 

[Tim]

Diamanti looks ok too, but I think he'd only make the NZ side as an all-rounder so he needs to put some runs on the board in the next couple of seasons.

 

[sirjeremy11]

I agree with the Thompson call. Left armer, economical, takes wickets, hits quick runs.

This would be my ODI team...

Astle
Vincent
Fleming
McCullum
Fulton
Styris
Taylor
Vettori
Thompson
Mills
Bond

Tough on How, but we already have three openers in the team. That is why McCullum bats at four. Maybe even swap Fleming with McCullum? If Mills isn't fit, we take in Franklin. Patel would be a good supersub. I know that Taylor is low in the batting order, but I put him in their as a "let's see how he goes". He would also be handy as a bowler for a few overs. Just hope being at number 7 doesn't make him bat like one (ie Jacob Oram). Plus Patel and How are still in the squad. You would hope to get 10 overs out of Bond, Mills, Vettori, and Thompson. Then 10 from Astle, Styris, Taylor. tough on Marshall, but I just hate seeing him scratch around. go back and get some runs at domestic level would be great. And yes, I know he struggles at domestic level, but give it a go. And I also wonder about Chris Harris. Would he be able to take Taylor's place maybe?

In fact, the batting is fairly well covered with the likes of McMillan, Marshall(s), How, Papps, Sinclair, Nicol, Ryder, even Flynn and Watling from ND. And maybe Cumming?

 

[Blaze]

The latest word is that Mills will also miss the cut. Michael Mason is likely to get the recall.

Paul Hitchcock will apparently make the Twenty20 side.

Mills should be in the side unless they decide he isn't match fit. Mason will go alright though.


Hitchcock could actually be quite useful in the Twenty20 match.

 

[sirjeremy11]

Plus Thompson's Shield stats look pretty good this year (pre semi final) - 17 wickets at 15.05 - Econ 3.52

 

[Tim]

Flynn & Watling are a few seasons away at least. Nicol looks like he's improving again after a few fairly average seasons. Ryder needs to become more consistent in OD's.

Papps really has developed quite an excellent OD record in the last year or 2, he'd be my next pick.

 

[Tim]

I don't think Thompson has played enough consistent cricket yet to make the NZ team. At the end of next season if all goes well for him, he could be in the frame.

 

[NZTailender]

It is good to see that we're having trouble with trying to fit in players instead of not having enough in form ones....

 

[Blaze]

There seems to be a lot of players in contention. It is quite hard to keep track of everyone when you think of possible selections.

Anyone still keen on Yovich?

 

[Right arm fast]

I don't think Thompson has played enough consistent cricket yet to make the NZ team. At the end of next season if all goes well for him, he could be in the frame.

i would like to see him in the NZA team

 

[Tim]

Nope, he's too hit & miss..I think his chance has passed.

 

[Tim]

It's very possible that Thompson will make the NZ 'A' side to Australia in July.
I just like the fact that he doesn't seem to rely on swing or seam. I mean, he'd be a good bowler with those conditions but he also has a few change-ups and variations that he brings out on the flatter wickets.

 

[Tim]

That was unbelievable fielding from Jamie How. He is an awesome fielder.

 

[sirjeremy11]

It is good to see that we're having trouble with trying to fit in players instead of not having enough in form ones....

I agree. Still a bit worried about the form of some of the "established" players that they will probably pick though - Astle, Marshall, Fleming, Vincent, Styris haven't been ENTIRELY convincing. But it is the Windies Wouldn't have said that 10-15 years ago...

Yes, I touched wood. And not in the dodgy way.

 

[NZTailender]

I wish I could see the domestic cricket

 

[Blaze]

Nope, he's too hit & miss..I think his chance has passed.

He is far too expensive as well. I have never been a fan.


For our ODI team these are the guys in contention.

Openers - Fleming, Astle, Vincent, How, Papps, Ryder

Middle Order - H Marshall, J Marshall, Styris, Fulton, Taylor, Oram (not fit), McMillan, Sinclair, Nicol, Harris

Keepers - McCullum, Hopkins

Spinners - Vettori, Patel

Pace Bowlers - Bond, Mills, Franklin, Mason, Gillespie, Yovich, Martin, Hitchcock, Thompson

Anyone I have missed?

 

[sirjeremy11]

I guess maybe Adams? But I doubt the Essex professional will play.

 

[Tim]

Peter McGlashan over Gareth Hopkins. McGlashan can smash the ball a mile, he's come on alot over the last season or 2 and I think you'll find he'll make NZ 'A' this season as the primary keeper.
Nicol will probably need to have an 'A' tour too to see if he can handle the step up.