New Zealand in Australia Nov-Dec 2008 Feb 2009

[karnog]

Out of interest what happened to Flynn? Or is he deemed as a test specialist?

 

[irottev]

Out of interest what happened to Flynn? Or is he deemed as a test specialist?

Test specialist. Look at his ODI record and you'll understand why he got dropped.

 

[karnog]

Fair enough. Poor strike rate and mediocre average coming in at 6. But i suppose pushing him at 3 (instead of Fulton) would give him an opportunity to rectify the average considering his excellent average in tests. I just don't think Fulton cuts it in the International arena.

 

[irottev]

Averaging 33 and had 4 fifties in his last 4 games against Australia isn't bad (and better Aussie sides then the current). Fulton can't get dropped after 1 game back. Give him a chance. He only fell to a brilliant catch, it was bad luck. He played some nice shots, sadly most went to fielders. Plus he has very safe hands in the field. I'd like him at 5 and to bring in Cumming at 3 to be honest. We may have to drop a bowler - which would be Patel sadly. Dunno where the other 10 overs will come from. Cumming can bowl, Elliot, Taylor? Broom? Elliot could be dropped but I like his style. He's a good turner over of strike and I think that's important for the middle overs. I feel though that if he's going to be in the side he has to do a bit more bowling.

My 11 for Friday

Guptill
McCullum
Cumming
Taylor
Fulton
Broom
Elliot
Mills
Vettori
Southee
O'Brien

If that Aussie umpire is for the first over get Guptill to face. Can't afford McCullum to go out to another dodgy LBW. Tait has the better chance at getting him

 

[sifter132]

If that Aussie umpire is for the first over get Guptill to face. Can't afford McCullum to go out to another dodgy LBW. Tait has the better chance at getting him

I'll agree Bruce Oxenford is not our sharpest tool, but a certain Mr Steve Bucknor missed one that hit Guptill on both pads in Johnson's first over. If you believe Hawkeye, it pitched middle/leg and was hitting inside of off stump. He only added 1 run after that, but it could have been important.

Also Paul Reiffel pulled the trigger () on the Vettori not out run out pretty quickly I thought. There was an extra angle that they showed too late, but it showed the bail came out of the groove almost instantly and if that were true I'm not sure Vettori had any bat down, since his bat was upsidedown. If he had given that out, NZ would have needed 12 off 14 with only 2 wickets left, and Patel would have come out a couple of overs earlier. The extra wicket and Vettori's ability probably made the final difference.

Of course none of that matters, the wickets in the book. Australia deserved to lose anyway, so I'm DEFINITELY NOT blaming umpiring for the loss.


As for Friday night, I really hope we play Hauritz. I'd love to try and develop a spinner for the middle overs and stop trying to squeeze overs from Clarke/Hussey. Also, scoring rates in Melbourne are generally lower than in Perth/Brisbane/Sydney, so it's more important to play extra/better bowlers. And we have a hole at opener that Hopes can fill. Then you'd have:

1. Hopes
2. Warner
3. Ferguson?
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. Hussey
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10. Bracken
11. Tait/Hilfy

Unfortunately, with that top order I can see Michael Clarke in VERY early. Please prove my skepticism wrong boys...

 

[angryangy]

I wouldn't have Fergs at 3, but yeah, the top order could be terrible. My guess is that at least one of Clarke and Mike Hussey is going to have to step up to a tough role.

 

[karnog]

With the 13 squad which seems really pathetic...
Dave Warner
Michael Hussey
Clarke
David Hussey
Adam Voges
Ferguson
Haddin
Hopes
Johnson
Bracken
Tait

NZ batting isn't strong so i think we can afford without the specialist 5 bowler: Voges, Clarke and Hussey can get through. But to be honest i would've gone with an all-rounder at 6. Maybe Hopes at 6 and fit in Hilfy which beefs the bowling.

 

[formula1man]

we are gonna lose 5-0 with this squad. What are the selectors thinking, there are so many better players. What would be your full strength side, coz im sure that this doom and gloom will end once we have a full squad. Im just not sure of everyone who is missing.

 

[karnog]

I'm assuming we're ignoring injured players...
1. Katich
2. Rogers
3. M. Hussey
4. Clarke
5. Klinger
6. D. Hussey
7. Paine
8. Johnson
9. Bird
10. Bracken
11. Tait
12. Hilfy
13. Hughes

EDIT: swap Bird with Heal

 

[IloveGilly]

Did anyone else know that Clarke averages just 16 in his last 14 innings? Good Lord. Even Ponting with just 25. I gotta check up on all these stats. It's such a shock.

Well, as bored and curious as I was too the statistics, when you compare the performances of the current Aussie batsman, the stats look horrible.

Things I notice;
- There has been NO ONE that has scored a century in almost a year (exception of Watson).
- Besides Hussey and Marsh, the highest average is 31.3 and no one has scored over 70.
- All the Strike Rates are around 70 to 85 except for one who is miles away, Michael Clarke @ 49.88.

Being more detailed into the current series;
- Again Michael Clarkes Strike Rate is at a mere 44.92.
- When you have no one scoring centuries, and just average just 1.33 50's in a game, you know where you dry up.

Didn't think they were the stats would be that bad.

 

[formula1man]

Well Ive been on about Clarkes stats for a while

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

CA has gone crazy of leaving out Roy once again

 

[angryangy]

Well Ive been on about Clarkes stats for a while

But the main point is that even the best performers have been mediocre.

 

[0601731]

is oram expected to join the squad soon??

 

[irottev]

He didn't play for Central today so maybe not. I'd rather we didn't risk him to be honest.