There are some notable missing players in the squad named for the 1st test in Australia. Jacob Oram is of course out of the squad with an injury. Patel stays home, at least for the Brisbane test, saved from taking a trip over just to be 12th man. Martin coming into the squad is the other change worth reporting.
There is another player notable in his absence, not because of selection issues but because he is still injured. James Franklin has not played a test for New Zealand for nearly 2 years (a fact that is slightly misleading, as the whole of the NZ team played no tests for the better part of 2007). He had surgery on his knee in November 2007. The recovery time was supposed to be 6 months, which would have put in the frame for the tour to England. Well we are now in the 12th month and he still isn't in the picture for selection for the Black Caps.
For those who aren't aware, or have forgotten because he has been away for so long, Franklin with 76 wickets from 21 tests is the best bowler currently on the New Zealand scene. And he was also starting to show his potential with the bat, making him a real all-rounder. Damn but it is frustrating to have him close, but not close enough to being available.
Apparently in the emerging players tournament in July, he was not troubled in extending himself for short bursts. Which is barely encouraging. Wellington will be starting off their domestic season on the 17th with a match Championship match against Canterbury, so hopefully Franky will be lining up for that and we can get some idea of how he's doing.
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I understand he's been bowling and batting in club cricket lately and is untroubled. He's also got a child due sometime this month (he was in a friend's ante-natal class).
Karl,
Pulled out of a club game last week due to injury I think.
It’s a long road back…
He's also got a child due sometime this month.
Good on him, but having a baby in the house isn't going to help his game, pity for us.
Pulled out of a club game last week due to injury I think.
What was injured do you know? Was it is knee?
Ben,
Same injury I think.
Although, to be honest, I've forgotten what his current injury actually is!
visit my new post on two legands of cricket at
http://christopherdavid007.blogspot.com/2008/11/legendary-farewell-for-two-legends.html
looking forward for your thoughts.
I remember him consistently troubling our batsmen in a test series there. Or was it someone else ?
I think he would be a very good addition to the team with the angle and the swing he gets.
ps- mind adding me to your blogroll mate. you have been on mine for ages :)
http://www.theflyslip.net/
that century against South Africa seemed to have set Franklin up, so it's frustrating that he's not around especially since he was also improving as a bowler. In the last couple of series against England and South Africa our lower order was woeful, so we've rarely been able to pass 200 in both innings of a test of late. Given that Kyle Mills is something of an allrounder at the first class level, maybe the time has come for him to step up with the bat/
Post a Comment