Ben has asked for some debate on the subject of the New Zealand team selection for the Champions Trophy. First to step forward is Richard Boock, who puts on his well-worn angry hat and turns his attention to Hamish Marshall and Mark Gillespie. While Boock suggests that Marshall might struggle to retain his place in the squad ahead of Ross Taylor, he doesn't single out anyone who could step up and take Gillespie's spot. And that is the problem. New Zealand's fast bowling ranks are looking very thin.
Despite the question mark over the quicks, I personally think this is one of the strongest squads we have picked in recent years. There are no major players with injury concerns (touch wood) and it includes the entire squad who played the last one-dayer - against the West Indies way back in March. My only real concern is the lack of match fitness. Many of the players will be heading into the tournament without having played in a competitive match for some months.
PS Stephen Fleming hit 192 for Nottinghamshire last night.
Friday, 8 September 2006
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Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle, Kyle Mills, Brendon McCullum, James Franklin - Shoo-ins, no issues here with these blokes.
Daniel Vettori - has had a long-term lay-off with no cricket and recurrent back problems. Concerns remain. Jeetan Patel will only play if Vettori is injured surely...
Shane Bond - ditto for Vettori, but for him to go into a rapid fire tourney like the CT is always a concern. Stress fracture looming.
Jacob Oram - ditto for Bond & Vettori. Is he really 100% - and what can we judge that on?
Hamish Marshall, Peter Fulton - will he open? I'd rather have Ross Taylor than either of these two. They seem to be picked because they are seen as 'solid' and providing the glue around which the stroke-makers can shine. That's crap.
Mark Gillespie - Hmm, a solid first-class record and a so-so one-day record. Send him to face world-class bowlers on roads in a difficult touring country. Why didn't they pick him last year if he was so good?
Scott Styris - He better not be more injured than they're saying. This is a high intensity tournament so no room for pigs with bad backs.
Lou Vincent - He is the incumbent - will he open the batting with Astle?
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