GROUP C - New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Kenya

[Athlai]

Originally Posted by Flem274*

I've had the suspicion for a while now that Patel is/ will turn out a better spinner than Vettori if given the chance.

Different kinds of bowler though, offering different things at any time. Vettori is one of the most unique spinners in the world and I doubt we will ever drop him while he is fit to play. Patel I think is a fantastic prospect for NZ cricket, his ability to make top order batsman look like idiots is a fantastic one.

[Perm]

Full credit to Sri Lanka, they won the match and played better cricket. However, some of our team selections need to come under serious scrutiny. Chris Martin and Mark Gillespie aren't good enough, they're cannon-fodder against batsman who can hit through the line. Jeetan Patel should be in the side, as he is the only bowler (other than Bond) who can bowl at the death of an innings. I would like to see Bradley Scott and Nathan McCullum get a game also, both bowlers who can prove difficult to get away and can tonk it a bit. Pretty happy with our batting lineup, although switching Fulton and Taylor around is a possible option.

I guess it just goes to show how much our team relies on a couple of players, Bond and Styris in particular IMO. Styris wasn't able to post many runs on the board and Bond got absolutely hammered by Jayasuriya, when our two most consistent performers aren't able to produce the goods it weakens our team significantly. Good knocks by Fulton, Taylor and Oram though while Vettori bowled well, becoming a bit of a pattern against Sri Lanka.

[Days of Grace]

Originally Posted by Perm

I guess it just goes to show how much our team relies on a couple of players, Bond and Styris in particular IMO. Styris wasn't able to post many runs on the board and Bond got absolutely hammered by Jayasuriya, when our two most consistent performers aren't able to produce the goods it weakens our team significantly. .

There is no excuse for other batsmen not to perform at least semi-consistently. Taylor, Fulton, Oram, McMillan, etc.

As for the bowlers, well, that is our weak point, apart from Bond and Vettori. It would be madness not to bring Patel in for the next round of matches. Bond and Patel to bowl at the death.

[Athlai]

Over recent times, Fultons been Mr consistent second to only Styris IMO.

Taylor was... for a while. But Oram and McMillan have always had problems with staying in good nick.

[Athlai]

Since the CH he's averaged 46.78 could be a real turning point in his career. I think he's looked great lately.

[Perm]

Originally Posted by Days of Grace

There is no excuse for other batsmen not to perform at least semi-consistently. Taylor, Fulton, Oram, McMillan, etc.

Of course, I'm just saying that Styris is definitely our rock in the middle order. McMillan is inconsistent, Oram has been largely rubbish while Taylor is still very inexperienced. Fulton is really only the other solid option in our batting lineup IMO.

[Perm]

Originally Posted by Athlai

Since the CH he's averaged 46.78 could be a real turning point in his career. I think he's looked great lately.

I agree completely.

[chaminda_00]

NZ prove that Scaly was right they were just a bunch a medicores

Hmm reckon it is time to give Hasantha a game, Weijkoon has been pretty useless. Surprised that Dilhara has been decent in this form. Also the tactics Jayawardene has used with bowling has been right on the money. Would have bowled Dilshan when Weijkoon was getting smashed.

[Athlai]

Vincent's worth a mention too, in the past year he's averaged 39.07, I'm expecting a big knock from him soon.

Our batting really only holds Vincent, Fulton, Taylor (maybe...), and Styris.

The likes of McCullum (up the order at least), Oram and McMillan can hardly be relied on anymore than Afridi for their role in the game. Styris's lbw decision was the turning point in last nights match for me.

[Athlai]

Originally Posted by chaminda_00

NZ prove that Scaly was right they were just a bunch a medicores

Sad but true, we're as dire as England.

[James]

Patel in line for Twenty20 recall

[nightprowler10]

Originally Posted by Perm

http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content...ds/305298.html

This is the match I was thinking of. I was obviously wrong though.

[Perm]

Originally Posted by Athlai

Vincent's worth a mention too, in the past year he's averaged 39.07, I'm expecting a big knock from him soon.

Scoring the majority of his runs either against minnows or on roads.

Originally Posted by Athlai

Our batting really only holds Vincent, Fulton, Taylor (maybe...), and Styris.

Our batting has Styris, and Fulton at a pinch. Taylor is still quite young, although very talented while Vincent is pretty much a flat track bully.

Originally Posted by Athlai

Styris's lbw decision was the turning point in last nights match for me.

Agree with this, he played a pretty silly shot and then the tide start to turn.

[Athlai]

I thought to myself, how could I display my pleasure that Patel may be included in the side. I came up with the ever useful Smilies.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by chaminda_00

NZ prove that Scaly was right they were just a bunch a medicores

Hmm reckon it is time to give Hasantha a game, Weijkoon has been pretty useless. Surprised that Dilhara has been decent in this form. Also the tactics Jayawardene has used with bowling has been right on the money. Would have bowled Dilshan when Weijkoon was getting smashed.

From what I've seen and read of Weijkoon, this is probably the worst format to play him, so I have no idea why he's in this team yet not in the test or ODI setups. I think he'd be worth a go batting #7 in the ODI team if Mubarak continues to be Mubarak and Maharoof continues to disappoint with the bat but his bowling is pretty much cannon fodder in this stuff, unless he got a pitch like the one served up for Australia v Zimbabwe.