Test XI for New Zealand right now

[bayhaus]

i say if we are going to throw caution to the wind we might as well go big. lets throw in Vitori to open with Mawoyo and get events off to a flyer cos Vitori is one dude who doesnt waste time at the crease.

[Jemisi]

I wish the selectors would stop hating on us Ndebeles

You've been getting unfair treatment for some time.

[Flower power]

Its a pity that its no just a cricket thing . Even in some spheres as music , if an talented music artist records his album in Mutare or gweru his chances of making it nationally become diminished .If however the same arstist were to record even in a backyard studio in Harare he will be a hit . This also applies to other sports such as soccer .
I think its high time the wrong mentality in Zimbabwe changed .Harare is not Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not Harare .

[CrimsonAvenger]

i say if we are going to throw caution to the wind we might as well go big. lets throw in Vitori to open with Mawoyo and get events off to a flyer cos Vitori is one dude who doesnt waste time at the crease.

May not be in tests, but I'm quite open to this thought of Vitori / Shingi / Meth coming way up in the order to rattle the plans NZ might have, especially in those small grounds. After all, we'll be hoping to dish out what Mark Greatbatch initiated against other teams at his own den.

[sscricket]

Read this article.
Meth has go to play. The move will definitely backfire on NZ if he does.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/62 ... ps-bowlers

New Zealand's cricketers hope to frighten the life out of the touring Zimbabwe batsmen on a green, fast, bowler's paradise in Napier next Thursday.

McLean Park rarely gives batsmen nightmares and is usually the country's friendliest pitch, but it seems the orders have been whispered in curator Phil Stoyanoff's ear for the one-off test. Particularly with the home side's new-found liking for playing four pace bowlers after their memorable seven-run win over Australia at a glistening Bellerive Oval last month.

"I think there's going to be a lot more grass left on this wicket than there has been in the past," captain Ross Taylor said.

"We saw how we played in Hobart in seaming conditions. It's not easy with the bat but it's a nice test of our mindset.

"We'll have to wait and see. Napier's weather is pretty good, but I'm sure whatever wicket we get will be a little bit different ... or a lot different, from the last one."

New Zealand scored 619-9 declared against India in Napier in March 2009, and in the most recent McLean Park test, Pakistan were dismissed for 223. Then both sides topped 450 before rain foiled a tense finish.

Captains and coaches issuing groundsmen instructions is usually a taboo topic but there's little doubt it happens, away from prying ears. Taylor, who was in Napier with Central Districts last weekend, chose his words carefully but it appears New Zealand want to capitalise on home conditions, as other countries do.

"They [Zimbabwe] come from pretty flat wickets and we grow up playing on a little bit more grass, especially in first-class cricket."

There will be some irony for coach John Wright who was on the receiving end of a directive for green, seaming pitches when he coached India in New Zealand in 2003.

But with New Zealand's batting lineup still not providing enough runs, bowler-friendly pitches are seen as their best chance as they front with four pacemen: Chris Martin, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell and Trent Boult.

Whether this policy of green seamers continues for South Africa's three-test tour in March is another matter. Certainly the Proteas' imposing pace attack, led by Dale Steyn, would hope so.

"We're not thinking too far ahead. They [South Africa] are pretty good on any conditions really," Taylor said.

[foreignfield]

Ah, mindgames, gotta love it!

[Jemisi]

That decides me on Meth.

[foreignfield]

How does a green top suit Meth better than Shingi? I haven't seen Meth bowl awfully lot, but I always thought he relied on movement in the air instead of off the pitch?

[betterdays]

How does a green top suit Meth better than Shingi? I haven't seen Meth bowl awfully lot, but I always thought he relied on movement in the air instead of off the pitch?

yup, i do wonder how useful Meth'll be after the 10th over - mind you, if he's nipped a couple out (though this is not a 'rocks' line-up he's bowling at) by then, he'll have done his job.

[FlowerPower]

How does a green top suit Meth better than Shingi? I haven't seen Meth bowl awfully lot, but I always thought he relied on movement in the air instead of off the pitch?

Wanted to ask that very question this morning.