Haha, my thinking comes up with the exact opposite outcome for the same reasons.Nah would imagine that Rutherford, due to his age will get more leniency from the selectors than Fulton, even if he has looked terrible in most of this series.
Yup. 9 @ 43.11 thus far...Bracewell has A LOT to do to get anywhere near a test side imho...
Are there really no Nelson-based players in the CD side? Time was over half of the 11 would come from the perennial Hawke Cup holders (with Taranaki or Manawatu to supply a couple of quick bowlers...)By coincidence I have been thinking of a north vs South match minus the black caps.
.....
South despite only having two teams would walk this, North light on middle order batting.
I came here to say exactly the same thing, so now there's not much point in posting.Is this series taking place in an alternate reality?
He may have jumped the shark a year ago.Nah McCullum is still easily one of the top 6 batsmen in the country, for me. He absolutely should be in the team. Just that he has to open because other better batsmen have more claim to the middle order slots.
I'd probably have him at sixth, behind Taylor Williamson Ryder Guptill (in middle order) and Watling. But of course that doesn't give him a batting spot. We all know he's not interested in opening again so again, it's not particularly worth thinking about. I think we can all agree Jesse is a better option at 5. At 6, not keeping, I can't see how he justifies keeping Anderson, Watling or even Guptill in the sort of form he's in out of the team. He's a decent captain but he doesn't hold his spot over those guys. Gup scored runs at #5 (Bangladesh I know but also 58 v Australia) and deserves another go, for mine. But again, it's all hot air because Brendon is going nowhere.Nah McCullum is still easily one of the top 6 batsmen in the country, for me. He absolutely should be in the team. Just that he has to open because other better batsmen have more claim to the middle order slots.
Your rationale for selecting Sodhi ahead of Vettori?My test team for NZ vs India in the new year:
Latham
Rutherford
Williamson
Taylor
Ryder
Anderson
Watling
Southee
Sodhi
Wagner
Boult
No McCullum.
Great sideUltimate Experience team:
Latham (MVP)
McCullum (C)
Williamson (7)
Taylor
Ryder (6)
Anderson (4)
Watling
Vettori (5)
Southee (1)
Bennett (3)
Boult (2)
View attachment 21047
No offence, but have actually been watching cricket since Bracewell took his 6-fer in Hobart a couple of years back?My team
Guptill
Rutherford
Williamson
Taylor
Ryder
Anderson
Vettori
Watling
Bracewell
Southee
Boult
I suppose with Ryder and Williamson bowling a few overs Anderson could make it as a 4th bowler but it's risky. I think we've already been over this but if we're picking 4 seamers and no spinner I don't think one of them should be Anderson. I know NZ always needs the batting strength, but unless the guy is Imran Khan you don't pick an allrounder for one of the 4 bowler's spots. Especially considering Anderson's injury liability.So Gup stays out, Jesse goes to five and then Ish/Anderson battle for one spot. I'd never wish an injury on anyone but now might be a nice time for Brendon to go the way of Dan and grab a couple of years of Big Bashing over a lesser period in whites.
Sodhi shows some promise so I'd give him another go. If he fails then we can get Vettori back in.Your rationale for selecting Sodhi ahead of Vettori?
Talent wise I agree but he's been performing poorly over the last 3 years. He's scored 1 century in 48 innings and averages 32 over this period.Nah McCullum is still easily one of the top 6 batsmen in the country, for me. He absolutely should be in the team. Just that he has to open because other better batsmen have more claim to the middle order slots.