If Vettori is gone, who should he be replaced with?

[Bahnz]

In the ghastly event that Vettori is out for the rest of the World Cup, who do New Zealand bring into the squad as his replacement. Surely the coaching staff can't be planning on going into the quarters with a spin attack of NcCullum and Woodcock? Are we desperate enough to fly Patel out to India? Do we go for another spinning allrounder like Rob Nicol? Do we pluck someone out of left field, like Nethula or Beard?

Regardless of what the selectors decide, its hard to realistically see New Zealand making a decent go of it in the finals without Dan. Or am I just being my usual miserable self?

 

[straw man]

TBH if Vettori is out I think it is not so large a loss as people make out ... it certainly doesn't help but I don't think it ends our semi-final hopes.

I'm not familiar with the stats of the specialist spinners in the OD domestic competition, but my first reaction is that none of them stand out as having been that impressive (correct me if I'm wrong). I guess Patel would get the nod over others simply because he's played for NZ before.

I think a spin-bowling allrounder would be a better bet, though it strikes me that we already have two sitting on the bench in Woodcock and Williamson. Rob Nicol probably missed out on the squad initially because he is too similar to those two players. He's also a top order batsman, which we're not exactly short of at the moment. They could still bring him over, but I think firstly that Woodcock should replace Vettori - they've selected him for exactly this role and it is time to see how he performs. Nicol of course hasn't even made his debut.

They could always play Woodcock and just use Vettori's (possible) injury as a way to correct the awful reserve wicketkeeper selection, so send McGlashan over.

In summary for me, if Vettori is injured then Woodcock should play and either Nicol or McGlashan should be flown over. If Woodcock is rubbish then could select Williamson and get him to bowl 5 overs per innings. Edit: Or play all 4 fast bowlers.

I see Vettori is seeing a knee specialist today, so we'll just hope for good news.

 

[Howe_zat]

Surely this is why Woodcock was selected? If they didn't play him when Vettori gets injured, when would they play him?

 

[Blaze 18]

I'd play a batsman in his place. The team I'd pick would be :

1) Martin Guptill
2) Brendon McCullum (wicketkeeper)
3) Jesse Ryder
4) Ross Taylor (captain)
5) Kane Williamson
6) James Franklin
7) Scott Styris
8) Jacob Oram
9) Nathan McCullum
10)Kyle Mills
11)Tim Southee

Every single one of them can bat, and there are plenty of bowling options : Franklin, Southee, Mills, N. McCullum, Styris, Oram, Williamson. Top side.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Styris at 5, Franklin at 7 please.


I thought about Nichol, but if he was to play he should be in the top order, and there is no room there.

 

[James]

Agree with Blaze, that's the team I would pick as well if Vettori can't play the next match.

 

[Flem274*]

Patel will get picked, and Patel will get smashed.

I would pick McGlashan. Woodcock was always picked as a dark horse, and if Vettori is gone then we should show confidence in our punt.

McGlashan can render How useless and provide cover for Franklin if he doesn't get it together.

 

[Flem274*]

So if Vettori is down, I'd go in with a team of:

Guptill
McCullum B
Ryder
Taylor
Styris
Woodcock
Franklin
NcCullum
Oram
Mills
Southee

With Williamson as top four batting cover, McGlashan as finishing cover and Bennett as bowling cover. How fields and does male modelling shots.

 

[vcs]

I'd play a batsman in his place. The team I'd pick would be :

1) Martin Guptill
2) Brendon McCullum (wicketkeeper)
3) Jesse Ryder
4) Ross Taylor (captain)
5) Kane Williamson
6) James Franklin
7) Scott Styris
8) Jacob Oram
9) Nathan McCullum
10)Kyle Mills
11)Tim Southee

Every single one of them can bat, and there are plenty of bowling options : Franklin, Southee, Mills, N. McCullum, Styris, Oram, Williamson. Top side.

More options != good options. I think you would need one more really good specialist bowler in that team to trouble the top sides. Love their batting depth, but that has always been one of NZ's strengths.

I haven't seen much of Woodcock, but presumably they'd give him a go, as he's Vettori's backup. Alternatively, Patel might not be a bad option, though I don't rate him much. I remember him bowling well in some matches in WC 2007, so perhaps he's a better bet in ODIs.

 

[benchmark00]

Mike Hussey.

 

[straw man]

So if Vettori is down, I'd go in with a team of:

Guptill
McCullum B
Ryder
Taylor
Styris
Woodcock
Franklin
NcCullum
Oram
Mills
Southee

With Williamson as top four batting cover, McGlashan as finishing cover and Bennett as bowling cover. How fields and does male modelling shots.

Would go with this, but Franklin at 6 and Woodcock at 7. I know Woodcock is probably more suited to 6 than 7, but if Franklin is going to play he must bat in the top 6.

Would be good if Williamson could somehow get some game time prior to the QFs too, as I have a feeling we'll need him.

 

[Athlai]

Yeah Franklin has to bat 5 or 6 if we play him. Styris is a better 5 than him tbh so Jimmeh should be our 6.

 

[Prince EWS]

If Vettori was down I'd just bring Bennett into the eleven. Whoever actually replaces him in the squad is somewhat irrelevant but should another spinner play in the team it should definitely be Woodcock IMO.

 

[M0rphin3]

Jeets imo

 

[Athlai]

Leave Jeets at home IMO. Bring in McGlashan, we have the best bowlers there so why don't we actually cover a weakness in the team. Our back up keeper and lower order hitting.

 

[irottev]

Rob Nicol. Was robbed of a spot in the first place. (Pun!!!!) That way How never has to play again for any reason.

 

[Chewie]

I don't think the selectors would bring McGlashan over because it would mean admitting they were wrong about selecting How, and normally selectors don't like admitting that they were wrong

 

[Mike5181]

Fly Nicol over or play Bennett.

1.Brendon McCullum+
2.Martin Guptill
3.Jesse Ryder
4.Ross Taylor (c)
5.Scott Styris
6.James Franklin
7.Nathan McCullum
8.Jacob Oram
9.Kyle Mills
10.Tim Southee
11.Hamish Bennett

 

[blahblahblah]

man this is bad , he is my favourite spinner

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

In order of spin preference

Todd Astle, Mark Houghton, Nick Beard, Bruce Martin, Matt Dorn, Chris Kuggle-juggle, Voltman, No one, Jeetan Patel.

While we're at it, kneecap Jamie How and bring in Mark Greatbatch.