NZ under GrahamB (story)

[GrahamB]

A new look NZ side has been announced for the first of two tests in Aussie.
The playing eleven is based on a combination of general stats plus current season's form.

S.Murdoch
B.McCullum (wk)
S.Wells
K.Williamson
J.Ryder
R.Taylor (capt)
S.Stewart
D.Tuffey
T.Boult
B.Singh
B.Arnel

Martin Guptill misses out due to the exceptional form of Stephen Murdoch, who hit three centuries during the domestic season.
Young off-spinner Bhupinder Singh has taken a hatful of wickets at an average of 20 and has been preferred to the aging Vettori. Talk about a baptism by fire!

[GrahamB]

[Benji]

Graham, you must have been confident after your first innings? Surprised you left out Vettori.

[GrahamB]

Graham, you must have been confident after your first innings? Surprised you left out Vettori.

The Aussies bat down to number 9 whereas we went in with a long tail. Tuffey hitting his first ever century probably covered up our deficiencies in that first innings.
Usual NZ story - batting woes at the top of the order. Murdoch did well as an opener, but I'm not sure that McCullum will be able to hold his place as an opener.
It was tough leaving Vettori out due to his allrounder qualities, but I wanted to go in with four specialist bowlers, and as mentioned previously, Singh deserved a shot following his great domestic form. He didn't come off in this test, but I'll probably give him a second go.

[GrahamB]

The same playing eleven was retained for the second test, but the Aussies were again too strong for us in all facets of the game except the fielding.

[GrahamB]

Afterthoughts on the test series in Australia

Stephen Murdoch proved that he is up to international level as an opening batsman, averaging over 50 and with a century to his name.
Still unsure about whether or not to retain Brendon McCullum as the other opening batsman. He scored a fine half century in the second test and was his usual tidy self behind the stumps, so he's likely to be stay at this stage.
Wells had a disappointing series, despite showing some glimpses of class. He's had such a standout domestic season that he's likely to get another chance in the home series against the Windies.
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor let us down in this series, neither of them posting a halfway decent score. However, with so many aging players in the squad, it's seen as important to develop Williamson for the future. With Taylor having been handed the captaincy and being a proven performer, he's unlikely to get the chop either.
Shanan Stewart also had a disappointing series and is likely to be in the most precarious spot amongst the batsmen with regard to retaining his place in the side.
Jesse Ryder had a splendid series with the bat and was a good back up with the ball.

Trent Boult wasn't able to back up his fine performance in the first innings of the first test, but still finished with respectable figures from the series. Another young talent who needs to be developed for a long career.
Brent Arnel had a solid series, but was felled by a Mitchell Johnson bouncer towards the end of the second test. Unfortunately, he's likely to miss the series against the Windies due to a fracture, but that gives us a chance to try somebody else.
Although Daryl Tuffey scored a wonderful century in the first test, he was disappointing with the ball and is likely to be dropped.
Bhupinder Singh was really shown up against the Aussies and unless his domestic form continues to be outstanding, he's likely to be axed too.

[GrahamB]

There have been a few changes to the side for the 1st Test at home against the visiting Windies.

With Arnel out through injury, plus the failure of both Tuffey and Singh in Aussie, changes to our bowling attack were enforced.
With the pitch and the conditions expected to favour the seamers, Vettori has again missed out, this time because we've opted not to play a spinner.
With good domestic form plus well established stats behind them, Mark Gillespie and Bradley Scott join Trent Boult to form a three pronged pace attack. Ryder and Wells provide back up.

The biggest surprise was the inclusion of promising young batsman, Harry Boam. He was brought into the squad mainly to gain some experience training and being together with the established players. However, due to Vettori being handed 12th man duties, Boam will make his debut.

S.Murdoch
B.McCullum (wk)
S.Wells
H.Boam
K.Williamson
J.Ryder
R.Taylor (capt)
S.Stewart
B.Scott
M.Gillespie
T.Boult

[Phylos Fett]

Who did Australia pick in the first Test, because this is the team that they picked in my game - I'm playing NSW, and was shocked to see that I had a couple of players that I shouldn't and one noticeable one that I expected in my team all season.

[rock_cool2003]

There have been a few changes to the side for the 1st Test at home against the visiting Windies.

With Arnel out through injury, plus the failure of both Tuffey and Singh in Aussie, changes to our bowling attack were enforced.
With the pitch and the conditions expected to favour the seamers, Vettori has again missed out, this time because we've opted not to play a spinner.
With good domestic form plus well established stats behind them, Mark Gillespie and Bradley Scott join Trent Boult to form a three pronged pace attack. Ryder and Wells provide back up.

The biggest surprise was the inclusion of promising young batsman, Harry Boam. He was brought into the squad mainly to gain some experience training and being together with the established players. However, due to Vettori being handed 12th man duties, Boam will make his debut.

Bro i think you are missing out on two big players that are Vettori and Southee

[GrahamB]

Who did Australia pick in the first Test, because this is the team that they picked in my game - I'm playing NSW, and was shocked to see that I had a couple of players that I shouldn't and one noticeable one that I expected in my team all season.

The side for the second test was:

S.Katich
U.Khawaja
S.Watson
M.Hussey
R.Ponting
M.Cosgrove
P.Hughes
B.Haddin
M.Johnson
P.Siddle
D.Bollinger

Khawaja didn't play in the first test. Cosgrove opened in that and there was a different middle order batsman that I can't recall offhand.

[GrahamB]

Bro i think you are missing out on two big players that are Vettori and Southee

Vettori is 12th man in the current test, so he is still in the reckoning.
Southee will need to show some form in the game before I consider him.

[GrahamB]

[GrahamB]

With sunny weather expected throughout the five days of the forthcoming second test, we've changed our playing eleven.

Brent Arnel returns from injury and comes straight back into the bowling attack. Vettori has also been included this time, so both Gillespie and Scott miss out.

Brendon McCullum has been dropped as an opening batsman in favour of the in-form Jeet Raval. Harry Boam therefore makes way for keeper Kruger Van Wyk.

Shanan Stewart could consider himself fortunate to retain his spot, so he'll be wanting to prove that his domestic form has been no fluke and that he can make the step up to international level.

S.Murdoch
J.Raval
S.Wells
K.Williamson
J.Ryder
R.Taylor (capt)
S.Stewart
K.Van Wyk (wk)
D.Vettori
T.Boult
B.Arnel

Interestingly, the Windies have dropped their two spinners, Miller and Austin, in favour of a four pronged pace attack consisting of Darren Sammy, Jerome Taylor, Lionel Baker and Kamar Roach. They still have all-rounder Deonarine in the side though, so they do have a spin option.

[BIGBANG]

Sammy is a good bowler and he has improved his bowling...so 5 wicket haul for sammy is not amazing!!!

[rock_cool2003]

Your batting is going great guns but the bowling needs to b scrutinized.