astle and macca dropped

[Mr Kiwi]

the team for the 4-ODI series vs Sri Lanka:

Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori, Andre Adams, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, Peter Fulton, Jamie How, Hamish Marshall, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Lou Vincent

so Hamish Marshall retained (a bit unfair on James I feel), and Jamie How and Peter Fulton called up.

Firstly, not too surprised to see macca go - but he'll go back to provincial cricket and score a hundred and get back in the team again for another lean trot or minnow-bashing ton vs zimbabwe or something.

Astle on the other hand is more of a surprise. Yes he's having a shocker lately - though he got a hundred in Africa and was the only member of the NZ top order who seemed able to cope with Lee at Eden Park. Also, he and Vettori have been the only bowlers capable of keeping the middle of the innings under control. I think that is where he'll be really missed. That and his ability to pull a ton out of nowhere anywhere, anytime, without warning.

I'm already drawing up a 'bring back nath' banner . . .

So then the newbies (for those from out of town): both NZA regulars Fulton had an unspectacular debut against Bangladesh. Some stats:

Fulton - First Class
M - 42, I - 70, NO - 7. Runs - 3083, HS - 301*, Avg - 48.93, 100's 6, 50's 16
- List A
M - 42, I - 38, NO - 4. Runs - 1067, HS - 115*, Avg - 31.38, 100's 1, 50's 8

'Two metre Peter' normally bats at no3 for Canterbury - ironically between Astle and McMillian so expect to see him in the high middle order somewhere . . .

How - First Class
M - 44, I - 73, NO - 4. Runs - 2338, HS - 169, Avg - 33.88, 100's 6, 50's 12
- List A
M - 46, I - 45, NO - 1. Runs - 1085, HS - 94, Avg - 24.65, 100's 0, 50's 8

How's an opener by trade and having him partnering Fleming could be a good way to calm the debutant's nerves. His relatively low average belies a good season last year and steady early season form at the moment.

The selectors have passed over both Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder - who have been touted for bigger and better things. And of course Sinclair, who looked in pretty good nick at the basin earlier this week.

[sittingduck]

Originally Posted by Mr Kiwi

so Hamish Marshall retained (a bit unfair on James I feel)

Not really when you consider his average is 6 and his highest score is 14, unless its unfair cause his brothers almost been as bad of late

Originally Posted by Mr Kiwi

Firstly, not too surprised to see macca go - but he'll go back to provincial cricket and score a hundred and get back in the team again for another lean trot or minnow-bashing ton vs zimbabwe or something.

As per usual, what gets me is last week Bracewell was supporting Crave McDonalds and saying how he had an important role in the team, this week he's gone.

[Uham]

wow lots of new faces. at least pick astle

[sittingduck]

I don't expect to see Sinclair back in the ODI team, his strikerate is too slow.

I don't know why Adams was picked, He was replaced in the squad by Cairns when he got injured yet Cairns is still in the squad (and rightly so). So Adam's and Cairns are doing the same role. I hope Adam's wasn't picked for his bowling cause I'm not convinced he even can.

It's good to see some fresh faces in the side, about time Bracewell developed some spine and made some changes. worst thnig that could happen is the new guys get out cheaply, so in that regard they'll be doing the same as the guys they've replaced.

[tg123]

new zealand are doing bad so they need to make some changes

[Uham]

You got that right if they want to play in the LG ODi's they have to be in the top 6.

[rineet]

Astle has replaced Stephen Fleming for the series against Sri Lanka.

[crabs]

Originally Posted by tg123

new zealand are doing bad so they need to make some changes

How exactly are NZ doing badly? The only teams they've recently lost ODI series against are Aussie and South Africa.

[sittingduck]

Fulton did brillianty in the series, I feel the jury is still out on How.

Thank god there is now someone who can cement a spot in the team and ensure craig mcdonalds doesn't get another chance because we know he's had more than enough.