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

If Stokes can't bowl Overton will get in for his batting. Both Woakes and Overton have niggles.

Overs bowled - hope it is enough.
JA 31 overs 6 wickets
SB 32 overs 3 wickets
MW 18 overs 2 wickets
CW 15 overs 1 wicket
CO 13 overs 1 wicket

Geez, we're not keeping Vince are we?

You can just see now what's going to happen. A couple of pretty 20s, then he'll finally crack a century in the second test against an under-strength Kiwi bowling attack, which will lead the England management to conclude that he's test standard after all, and gets to keep his place for the entire English summer.

Of course he'll then return to normal service for the India series, and we'll end the summer with him having to be dropped, and England will head off to Sri Lanka with a hole still in their batting line-up, and some poor debutant needing to fill it in difficult conditions.

Looks like he is going to play.

bigfluffylemon wrote:Geez, we're not keeping Vince are we?

You can just see now what's going to happen. A couple of pretty 20s, then he'll finally crack a century in the second test against an under-strength Kiwi bowling attack, which will lead the England management to conclude that he's test standard after all, and gets to keep his place for the entire English summer.

Of course he'll then return to normal service for the India series, and we'll end the summer with him having to be dropped, and England will head off to Sri Lanka with a hole still in their batting line-up, and some poor debutant needing to fill it in difficult conditions.

He won't last long against Boult, Southee and Wagner, who is at number 6 in the rankings.

The squad was very much an acceptance that it was difficult to parachute players in during a winter where the reserves have, until the last few weeks, just played a few practice games. Even without the upcoming change of the selection panel, the suggestion was that England would make changes in the summer. So rightly or wrong, it means Vince gets two more games (provided Stokes can bowl).

Can't see him scoring much against Boult, Southee and Wagner. That said, he did do better than I expected him to in the Ashes! I honestly expected zero fifties and to be dropped for the 4th Test.

There's a lot of back up been in the WI though.

Yes but don't think any matches had been played before the Test squad was announced.

Sounds as though England will be going with a 5-man attack, so one has to assume that it will be Stokes, Mo, Woakes, Anderson and Broad, fitness permitting. Unclear whether Bairstow will remain at 6 or drop down the order to accommodate Ben (IMO Johnny should clearly play at 6 or even higher, but the England management seem to think that batting stokes higher brings out the best in him).

Personally I'd drop Vince for Stokes and keep Overton (not convinced that Wood is fit enough yet). It does seem as if the balance of the team would be affected dropping a batsman, but Stokes is a better bat than Vince. It would require Root moving up to 3, but he should be there anyway (and over the last few years he's come in against the new ball on so many occasions anyway...)

I'd play: Cook, Stoneman, Root, Malan, Bairstow, Stokes, Ali, Woakes, Overton, Broad, Anderson

But it seems that the likely XI will be: Cook, Stoneman, Vince, Root, Malan, Stokes, Bairstow, Ali, Woakes, Broad, Anderson

This must be the first test series between these two teams in a long time when England haven't been favourites going in. The teams are virtually equal in test rankings, but New Zealand are tough to beat at home and have a strong pace trio which is likely to cause England problems, especially in the D/N test. Add to that England's appalling test form, especially overseas, and weaknesses (especially in batting), and you'd have to have NZ as favourites if Taylor stays fit.

Forecast for Auckland is pretty poor for much of the weekend, sadly.

Cricinfo has bfl's likely side for the First Test. And for NZ (actual):

1 Jeet Raval, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Todd Astle, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Neil Wagner, 11 Trent Boult

We are promised a grassy pitch. And there may be some swing at dusk of course.

Broad is on 399 wickets.

It was Eden Park on the last tour where Prior and Monty held on at the end for a draw with nine wickets down.

I remember a poster on here rating that match saving innings from Prior particularly low...

2m Peter got a hundred in both innings.

England with a five man pace attack!

Someone said that might happen.

No Vince. Overton starts.

NZ to bowl.

bigfluffylemon wrote:Personally I'd drop Vince for Stokes and keep Overton (not convinced that Wood is fit enough yet). It does seem as if the balance of the team would be affected dropping a batsman, but Stokes is a better bat than Vince. It would require Root moving up to 3, but he should be there anyway (and over the last few years he's come in against the new ball on so many occasions anyway...)

I'd play: Cook, Stoneman, Root, Malan, Bairstow, Stokes, Ali, Woakes, Overton, Broad, Anderson

Bingo.