Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Wonderful athletes

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  • Richard Llewellyn,

    To bat for my life? - I'd pick Dan Vettori at the moment, but its a good question

    I wish I could say Mike Hussey. I find it interesting that cricket, unlike most of the international football codes, does not have a tradition of nationality hopping (with the notable exception of South Africans moving to England).

    If only the likes of Bevan, Hussey, Jacques, Hodges, Symonds etc could have been tempted to move to NZ and switch allegiance.

    Mt Albert • Since Nov 2006 • 399 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Does that count his performances versus Sri Lanka? I get his average as 40.09? Anyway I love Astle. He was one of our best batsmen. I have his 200 on tape and love watching it. But he can't see the ball anymore. I guess I don't know if he will get that back but to me at the moment he just isn't good enough. And while I hope I'm wrong (because I don't believe for a second he will be dropped) I don't really think we will ever again see the kind of form from Astle that made him great.

    I'm picking that with this full-on one day season ahead of us, he'll struggle to keep his test spot next season. At 35, I think he might play next season as a one day player, and then he'll retire from international cricket at least.

    My pick for the world cup. An emergency call for Chris Harris, who has definitely still got it from what I've heard. And you know he'd play a blinder over there too.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Damian White,

    > If you had to pick a Black Cap who had to bat for your life who
    > would you choose?

    . . . Astle.

    Sure he might be a little out of touch at the moment . . . but whilst the new, younger batsmen may have their futures ahead of them, they're also somewhat green. Ask any of them to 'bat for your life', and watch as their eyes boggle, and they freeze up on the pitch. They're simply not used to that kind of pressure. Astle is; he's been there n' done it all before. Well, maybe not batting for someone's life, but . . . yeah, he can handle a little pressure.

    Even in the recent Sri Lankan tour, the old guard generally looked to handle the likes of Malinga much better than the young'uns . . . and note how Lee seems to smile with a gleam in his eye whenever he's bowling to a just-joined-the-squad batsman.

    However, all of this said, I will have to say that Taylor has impressed with his sound-headedness at the crease. And not just during his big innings at Eden Park, even when he's gone cheaply he still has an air of level-headedness about him.

    So I'd say Astle, and then when he retires, Taylor.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Felix Marwick,

    Sorry Reece Rigor doesn't count. He's been retired a while now but given current form he could probably make a comeback.

    I note other than Taylor and Astle no-ones expressing much confidence in our top order.

    Funny that

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    ok then, in that case I pick phil evans of the Grafton United Fat boys one day 6b side, that boy can do just about anything on a cricket pitch.

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • Felix Marwick,

    Ok there are days when we can't bat. There are days when we can't bowl. Now it seems there are days when we can't field.

    Bugger!

    Anyone care to place a bet on how long it'll be before the Blackcaps manage to achieve all three of the above in the same match?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    I really think that aside from the obvious mistakes during play that we did ourselves by selecting an out of form batsmen where we could have had an allrounder there to shield Astle from bowling at the death and getting pasted (we know you're struggling and there's a lot of pressure natey, but we'd like you to bowl too, at the death.) Adams would have been a much better option and doubtless would have contributed more runs than the player selected did. Craig Mcmillan showed what a skilled committed player is capable of when their career is on the line, hopefully he can continue and inspire others. One of the cricket writers in the SST compiled these star ratings in this weekends edition, made for very interesting reading.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaystartimes/3934911a6444.html

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Llewellyn,

    Did anyone else catch Comical Braces in his press conference last night?

    Pure comedy gold. He is in complete denial.

    Mt Albert • Since Nov 2006 • 399 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    Here is todays team vs england, we won the toss and elected to bat, we will win today.


    New Zealand 1 Stephen Fleming (capt), 2 Nathan Astle, 3 Ross Taylor, 4 Peter Fulton, 5 Craig McMillan, 6 Jacob Oram, 7 Brendon McCullum (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori, 9 Shane Bond, 10 James Franklin, 11 Mark Gillespie.

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • noizyboy,

    ok, quick prediction:

    nz: 253 in their 50.
    england: 189, bowled out in the 47th over...

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 171 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    This is without a doubt the strongest team put forward this summer, if they cant do it we're well and truly screwed. But they can, oh yes they can.

    I think we will underperform in batting again, about 220-230, but our fielding/bowling will see us home.

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    and so it begins,

    astle out for 1
    follow the 'action' here

    http://www.cricbuzz.com/component/option,com_livetoday/Itemid,136/

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • noizyboy,

    bah! there's my prediction out the door in the second over.

    or maybe not...

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 171 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    55 for 3 after 18 overs,

    only one real failure so far (astle out for 1) others into 20's at least so far.

    giving our wickets away though.

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • Felix Marwick,

    75/5 - care to revise the 250+ prediction.

    Oh and the McMillan renaiisance was very shortlived

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    yes it was but going on current selection policy that one innings should see him in the team til about 2010.

    a nice little partnership developing between oram and mccullum, good to see him back at 7 where he belongs.

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • noizyboy,

    be happy if they got 200+, at this point...

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 171 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    still on for 220 if these two stay together 100+ for oram 50 for mc

    cmon nz

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    and I had to put the knocker on them...

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • noizyboy,

    indeed. let's just get past the psychological 200 barrier, eh?

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 171 posts Report Reply

  • Deborah,

    So looking at our last three performances, and the current one, there's only one thing to say:

    Bracewell must go!

    It's a case study in how to take a group of talented players, working together as a reasonably cohesive unit, and turn them into a rabble.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    I still believe.
    210 will be enough.

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • Felix Marwick,

    I still believe.
    210 will be enough.

    Well you've got more faith than I have. If the Poms can't get 211 then they deserve to have Bracewell as their next coach.

    I'm gutted about Astle's form slump though. It's a great pity to see a guy who I used to really enjoy watch playing performing so poorly

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • reece palmer,

    Given the effect of my last post on the performance of batsmen who promptly got out I'll shut up now.

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

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