Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

First match starts tomorrow in Birmingham, 13.00.

June
09: Edgbaston
12: The Oval
14: Rose Bowl
17: Trent Bridge
20: Riverside

23: Old Trafford (T20).

Once again, England attempt to climb Everest/Sagarmatha by catching a bus from in front of the corner shops. It's easy to feel a bit underwhelmed by this ODI series, but really, this is a fresh start for England, and with the last of Flower's Unlovables gone, even if temporarily, I'm going to attempt to get behind the boys.

This is made more difficult by the opponents being Brendan McCullum's popular and charismatic Kiwis, who are massive favourites for the series.

An inexperienced team for England, though surely that disadvantage has to be seen by reflection of England's experienced team being so bad. Surely this collection of tenderfoots and wannabes have as much of a chance of doing something as the old guard?

Cricinfo guesses these for the line ups:

England (possible): 1 Alex Hales, 2 Jason Roy, 3 Joe Root, 4 Ben Stokes, 5 Eoin Morgan (capt), 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 David Willey 8 Adil Rashid, 9 Chris Jordan, 10 Liam Plunkett, 11 Steven Finn

New Zealand (possible): 1 Brendon McCullum (capt), 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Mitchell Santner, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Ben Wheeler, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Mitchell McClenaghan

Wood, Taylor and Billings to fashion the bibs. Though surely dropping James Taylor from the WC would be a stunning decision? And it is at least debatable whether Finn should have survived a poor tournament.

The presence of the struggling Eoin Morgan as skipper actually makes selection more complicated.

Anyway, enjoy your latest brave new world, and don't forget to call for the return of Ian Bell at the top of the order should England come unstuck.

I thought they were playing one at The Oval?

Thanks Aidan. I've changed the fixtures.

5 ODI's spread over two weeks, but only two tests?

Anyway, looks like the weather will be ok for tomorrow. Let's hope Roy and Hales can transfer their county form to the international level.

Gregory and Ansari have come and gone rapidly.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Gregory and Ansari have come and gone rapidly.

Think that was always the plan unless they performed outstandingly against Ireland.

Gregory didn't play, Ansari didn't bat or bowl. Bairstow and Tim not picked now from that squad. Yorkshire no longer fashionable. Though Plunkett has been called up to join Root and Rashid. And Vince has gone too.

I miss the interview before the series with Ian Bell where he says England are going to play without fear. Joe Root shows a lot of promise in the field of vacuous platitudes, so I'm expecting a seamless transition. You were in safe, reliable hands with Belly though.

Yes interesting squad and hope the weather stays fine, particularly as I'm going next Sunday to the Ageas.

One series though isn't enough to make any serious judgements - some of these guys need a decent run.

I'm usually impressed with your summaries Arthur - bit disappointed with your tone this time.

What about?

Arthur needs his mojo back!

Yes, well spotted Ginger.

However, I am the first person to post a match thread even though the game is tomorrow.

Quite excited about this from an England perspective. Good, young players, hungry to perform, lots of natural talent.

To make the game even more entertaining I'm planning on taking a single whisky every time someone says 'brand of cricket'.

The important thing for us now is to stick with this squad.

There is a fear that we do badly here so they go back to the old guard in the next series.

We've done that several times before but this time we must stick with them.