Black Caps Tour to Zimbabwe
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="600870" data-time="1469670687">
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<p>2 Actually.</p>
<p>Cric Info said it and JK also listed him at 5 in his team selection. based on that I was wondering if their had been some discussion about this from the team.</p>
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<p>The quote on cricinfo is:</p>
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<p>Playing their first Test since McCullum's retirement, New Zealand will be led by Kane Williamson for the first time. Henry Nicholls will fill in at No.4, and is surrounded by a strong line-up. With several spin options in their squad, New Zealand could opt for two spinners and two quicks with Doug Bracewell as their all-round option.</p>
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<p>I think the person writing that thinks BMac batted at 4 so got mixed up about Nicholls spot. Makes no sense to drop Taylor down when 4 is where he's had all of his success.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="600881" data-time="1469671273">
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<p>Seeing No Quarter has mentioned Joe Root now averaging 56 in Tests ...</p>
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<p>Kane Williamson's current Test average = 49.23</p>
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<p>To have an average of 50 after this Test Kane needs:</p>
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<p>63 runs not dismissed</p>
<p>113 runs once out</p>
<p>163 runs twice out</p>
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<p>Wouldn't be a cricket thread without this discussion. What does Taylor need to do the same ?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="600873" data-time="1469670758">
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<p>I 'know' 7, at least 7 of them have played NZ before.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-south-africa-v-new-zealand-2015/engine/match/894289.html'>http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-south-africa-v-new-zealand-2015/engine/match/894289.html</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="600817" data-time="1469667318">
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<p>There's plenty of room on the Canes bandwagon mate, just a short flight to the capital for you. Everyone else is backing the Chiefs just for the hilarity factor of the Canes choking again.</p>
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<p>Agree with everything you say about the Caps. Anderson and Neesh being injured so often is bloody infuriating.</p>
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<p>Hey, no worries - I'm supporting the Canes on Saturday - I'd quite like to see Hammer's plans come to fruition. And besides....the real comedy is when you guys choke in the Final! :)</p> -
<p>Guptill gets a lot of runs against weak attacks so it is somewhat sensible to pick him just because of that. However, I really think this was a chance to give Jeet Raval a proper opportunity.</p>
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<p>Also Neil Wagner has to be picked. I think he is our 2nd best test quick, after Boult.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="600811" data-time="1469666659">
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<p>Thank goodness for the cricket otherwise I'd be struggling for anything to watch now Super rugby is finished.</p>
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<p>Corey Anderson is injured, but is Neesham also not yet fit? Neither made the squad.</p>
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<p>I'd like to see one of those two able to step up and genuinely be able to bat at five.</p>
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<p>Guptill, Latham, Williamson, Taylor, Anderson, Watling, Santner, Sodhi, Bracewell, Southee, Boult could be bloody good. Six bowling options (seven with Kane) and seven genuine batsmen, plus Sodhi and Bracewell who can both hold a bat.</p>
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<p>Guppy needs to find his way as an opener, Anderson needs to be able to bat at five and BJ at six - and we still have Nicholls, Neesham, Craig, Wagner, Henry, McClenaghan and maybe even Milne in the wings (plus doubtless a couple of others near test standard).</p>
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<p>If Anderson is your 6th bowler, then his bowling is hardly going to matter. If Anderson is going to bat 5 then he has to basically be our 3rd best middle order batsman in the country. I don't think he is close to that.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="600884" data-time="1469671552">
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<p>Wouldn't be a cricket thread without this discussion. What does Taylor need to do the same ?</p>
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<p>Bit more of a challenge for him, MN5, than for Kane.</p>
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<p>Ross's current average = 45.49</p>
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<p>To average 50 after this Test needs:</p>
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<p>518 runs not dismissed</p>
<p>568 runs out once</p>
<p>618 runs out twice</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="600903" data-time="1469676134">
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<p>If Anderson is your 6th bowler, then his bowling is hardly going to matter. If Anderson is going to bat 5 then he has to basically be our 3rd best middle order batsman in the country. I don't think he is close to that.</p>
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<p>Good 4th seamer is often pretty handy though.</p>
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<p>I'd be surprised if he's too far away from being our best No. 5. His first class record is very similar to Nicholls, who seems to have the inside running at present.</p>
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<p>However, if we can find someone who can average 40+ as a specialist batsman at number 5, I'll take them every day of the week over a ~32 Anderson.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="600986" data-time="1469689637">
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<p>Good 4th seamer is often pretty handy though.</p>
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<p>I'd be surprised if he's too far away from being our best No. 5. His first class record is very similar to Nicholls, who seems to have the inside running at present.</p>
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<p>However, if we can find someone who can average 40+ as a specialist batsman at number 5, I'll take them every day of the week over a ~32 Anderson.</p>
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<p>I think on pitches where a 4th seamer is handy, a 2nd spinner wouldn't be. But yeah, there is no obvious case for number 5 but Will Young, Popli, Munro, Nicholls, Tome Bruce and maybe even Guptill are all options there.</p> -
<p>someone forgot to tell Zimbabwe the Flag referendum was unsuccessful, or maybe as they dont have them over there, they just figured it was a done deal?</p>
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<p><img src="https://scontent-syd1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13873012_1081849031851808_1768436489717139825_n.jpg?oh=d9a779ae66f57355ac8d32b9636b77c4&oe=582CC9DB" alt="13873012_1081849031851808_17684364897171"></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="600988" data-time="1469689810">
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<p>I think on pitches where a 4th seamer is handy, a 2nd spinner wouldn't be. But yeah, there is no obvious case for number 5 but Will Young, Popli, Munro, Nicholls, Tome Bruce and maybe even Guptill are all options there.</p>
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<p>Good thing about my plan is that any of Anderson, Santner or Neesham could come good as a number five, since any of them is already easily good enough to bat seven and probably six.</p>
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<p>Need to start looking around for Watling's eventual replacement - especially since Ronchi's not got far to run. </p>
