Auckland vs. W.I.

Ughh. Pass the blunt.

Auckland, as per usual, utterly dominating an overseas team. NZ could do well to watch a quality batsman like Richard Jones.

How'd Tim Macintosh do?

He got a 71. Jones 186*

I figure Auckland to slash their way to 500/3 declared, Jones the double, Young the ton, then Mills to take 7/50 and reduce WI to 120 all out

It's nothing like their front-line attack, of course. And apparently, a pretty flat track.

I think McIntosh deserves a go for NZ. He's been around long enough.

Yeah I wonr complain if MacIntosh gets blooded, please dont reselect Jones though, his technique sux + he's a miserable looking bastard

The test openers will be How and Redmond for at least the 1st 2 barring injuries anyway

McIntosh has been selected.

Well, cant really argue....Redmond did hit 80 vs Australia in Australia in his latest innings though, perhaps he's going to go in a simialir way to his old man. I look forward to wacthing McIntosh, gl to him

The whole sqaud is a bit of a suprise though, quite an introduction for Moles, cant help wonder how much input he has had here and if low tolerance for mediocrity is a taste of things to come?




Martin has been our no 1 test bowler for many years now, and I like Gillespe but Im not sure what Southee has done to deserve his dropping (apart from being woefully unpenetrative in the 2nd innings)

I guess the new ball bowlers are Gillespe and Frankin? Thats somewhat conccerning ...as The West Indies are pretty handy with the bat, lets hope its seaming and not a chronic road like the current Eden Parke track

On the plus side ....Franklin could be concievably be batting at 10

Martin's bowling average of 34 simply doesn't make up for his absolute incompetence at the batting crease

Even if Southee wasnt overly good during the second innings, he is back in NZ where the ball swings alot more than aus and he can only get better imo

I really dont think Franklin is good enough with the new ball, although we do need a left arm seamer for variance.. AND Gillespie? Jesus, how many times are we going to give him chances to impress?

I would have selected Franklin as a batsmen not a bowler, at least at Test level. Also, Southee is the only truly talented pace bowler we have. He needs to be playing as much as possible, he will be a star in 2-3 years. I like Gillespie but he hasn't been consistent enough.

I'm not sure Moles has had a lot of input into this, but it's the first team selected without Bracewell's input, so the other selectors might not have had to argue as much.

Franklin as a batsman only you mean? A recent glut of 1st class runs isnt enough for me. The problem with Franklin the bowler is if its not swinging hes absolutely vunerable to front foot planting woggers a la Gilchrist/Hayden etc

Agree bang on with your thoughts on Southee and Gillespe though. Maybe Gillespe needs an extended run, when hes getting it around 140 he's bowling a hard ball as well

Plus he disrespected Hayden once



Yeah. Normally I dont mind a front line bowler who cant bat but Martins efforts are beyond the fkin ridiculous, how a professional cricketer can be that unco with te willow is beyond me, NZ almost literally bats 9nine=all out with him in the side. Worst test batsman Ive ever seen. He makes the naenae express look like Derek Randall

After examining the windies squad a bit more closely I think we will win the series 1 or 2-0 without too many problems, 2-0 if the coin tosses go our way. 1-0 if not

Yeah, with Oram back I'm feeling a bit more confident... still, I wouldn't say it's a definite win.

Apparently, Martin was dropped party because they think he's not 100% fit. Altho that could just be the media story.