posted Dec 2, 2008

So what would your current ideal NZ test team be waikato? Assuming the ICL issue was ended and players would reconsider their retirements under your new regime?

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Oh fun! Remembering that the likes of Astle are now a bit elderly, my current 'dream' NZ team would look like this ...

1) Vincent
2) Fleming
3) Taylor
4) Styris
5) McMillan
6) Oram
7) McCullum
8) Vettori
9) Franklin
10) Bond
11) Martin

Unlucky to miss out, but offering real depth in the case of injury or loss of form, would be;

H Marshall
D Flynn
P Fulton
K Mills
T Southee
J How
I O'Brien

It was actually quite difficult to chose that team, because there were a number of players competing for selection, which would be a much better situation than we have now, which is basically anyone who can hold a bat or a ball and has scored more than 40 or taken more than 2 wickets in a club match ...

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posted Dec 2, 2008

Yeah, that looks a pretty formidable side. I'd probably go for H Marshall over Styris though, as you won't really need any extra bowling in that side, and Marshall is a bit younger and a better bat.

Don't think the WI would stand much of a chance against that side.

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posted Dec 2, 2008

Count, Marshie and the Russ were the two that I agonised over the most ... Russ has been in such good nick in ODI cricket recently that I thought he should get the nod, although Marshie was in great form in the ICL ...

You're right, that side would probably have too much for the Windies - i'm just a bit concerned that the current lot won't!

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posted Dec 2, 2008

Crowe has called Adelaide Test defeat as worst moment in NZ's history. He is quiet critical of Bracewell as well for not allowing players to be natural.

"We've put a coaching regime in place and they have got in the way of the development of these talented cricketers," Crowe said on Radio Sport. "The last five years have been probably the most destructive to our game in the history of our game."

Crowe was particularly angry that in recent times the young players were being asked to fill out forms after each day's play and assess their own and each other's performances.

"I'm sorry but this is just not the way you go about allowing sportsmen, allowing cricketers to express themselves and I find it quite sickening to be honest," Crowe said. "You've got to allow cricketers to be themselves, you've got to allow them to be individual and you've got to ask them to be self-sufficient.

"I just want it all cleared out. Give the kids a chance to just be what they can be and I'm sure they'll respond in time. Ross Taylor is a terrific player and he's a hell of a bloke and he wants it badly but you just sense along with his mate Jamie How that they're getting really confused."

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ausvnz2008/content/current/story/380393.html

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posted Dec 2, 2008

I still think pontingisgod came up with the best idea for NZ with his suggestion that a couple of sides should be put together to join the Australian State Cricket Competition. This would create a stronger league and drive NZ cricket to a higher level. Most County sides in the UK wouldnt win a game against Australias state sides - NZ players would greatly benefit from playing at this level and become stronger in the test arena.

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posted Dec 2, 2008

nm, thanks for the link - I don't usually have much time for Crowe, but this time he's absolutely spot on ... Thank god the era of Bracewell is over!

Trevorbarker, while a huge part of me wants the FC game in NZ to sort itself out, you're quite right - it would help our boys no end if they were playing in Australian FC cricket ... perhaps a composite side selected from the 6 NZ FC sides ... The worry is what it would do to the rest of the game in the country, while the Phoenix are doing quite well in the A-League football, and the Warriors and Breakers are doing well in the league and basketball, the development of those sports in NZ is struggling even more ... the 'top' football league, the NZFC, is virtually bankrupt and 'my' team Waikato FC (hence the nickname!) can't pay their players anything at all, have had to take on an inferior coach because he will do it for free, and no longer play at a decent stadium as they can't afford the rent ... meanwhile, about 10 000 go to watch the Phoenix play in Wellington ...

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posted Dec 2, 2008

>> I don't usually have much time for Crowe, but this time he's absolutely spot on

Umm why not? Do you find him grumpy like Ian Chappell?

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posted Dec 2, 2008

nm, I actually like Chappelli - he's a top bloke ...

Crowe has made a habit in the past of sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong, and saying stupid things to the papers just to keep his name in print ... he is, like plenty of other former players around the world, convinced that he knows much more about the game than anyone else ... but in this case I agree entirely with him.

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posted Dec 2, 2008

I get the impression that Bracewell tends to rub players up the wrong way....

Am I right about that? It seems that Fleming had a certain authority over the team, and Bracewell broke that. It that is correct, no wonder Fleming called it a day!

Instead of consolidating the team as a mixture of youth and experience, Bracewell seemed to be intent on driving every experienced player out of the side, and into the ICL....

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posted Dec 2, 2008

shiv, Braces rubs EVERYONE up the wrong way!

He's a control freak, won't listen to alternatives or other theories, and believes he is the only one astute enough to work out the game ... he surrounds himself with a group of yes-men and boots out anyone who won't tow the party line ...

I'd hazard a guess that NZ test results will start to improve from now on, and individual performances will improve as well if the players are completely terrified of their barking mad coach ... used to be a gravedigger by the way, wonder if he'll go back to that? Can't see him as a commentator!

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