Black Caps squad for Champions Trophy named

[BlackCapForLife]

The squad is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, James Franklin , Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, rendon McCullum, Hamish Marshall, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Scott Styris, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent

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Good squad, with most players available, glad to see Mark Gillespie is being given a go, even if he doesn't get a game.

[Andy Mellon]

I'd be surprised if Gillespie doesn't get a game. Chances of Bond lasting the tournament are pretty slim - they'll want to protect him at the slightest hint of a niggle. Bond is a necessity for the World Cup.

Disappointed to see Kyle 'Pedestrian #3' Mills in there and, of course, Hamish Marshall. Graeme Aldridge and Ross Taylor should be in their instead.

Just trying to think of who would be #11 in there without Chris Martin. Obviously if Bond plays he'd prop up the batting order. If he doesn't play though, I'm guessing that Gillespie would be #11... Possibly the best batting number 11 ever?

[sittingduck]

Quite possibly Andy,

Can't say I'm surprised to see Marshall in there, Bracewells too stubborn to admit hes wrong on Hamish being the golden boy. Would rather see Ross Taylor, he's a far more exciting world cup prospect.

Hamish would be better served by staying in county cricket where he is gaining success and thus confidence.

[vvvrulz]

I agree, Hamish gets a few too many chances and Ross Taylor certainely looked the goods last time I saw him play.

Despite Kyle Mills being pedestrian, he has been keeping tight lines and doing a pretty good job of opening the bowling. Especially when they toured South Africa. And I really hope they persevere with Lou Vincent as an opening pinch hitter.

[BlackCapForLife]

Originally Posted by vvvrulz

I agree, Hamish gets a few too many chances and Ross Taylor certainely looked the goods last time I saw him play.

Despite Kyle Mills being pedestrian, he has been keeping tight lines and doing a pretty good job of opening the bowling. Especially when they toured South Africa. And I really hope they persevere with Lou Vincent as an opening pinch hitter.

Hamish Marshall has played well in English County Cricket and has got a bit of form and match play under his belt so probably deserves a place more than Taylor but if Marshall does get out of form again then maybe it is time to look to other options.

[Wanderer]

I must say I like this squad...Only name I'm missing from their last tour here, is Andrè Adams. But, if I recall correct, he didn't do much with either bat or ball anyway.

[Andy Mellon]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

Chances of Bond lasting the tournament are pretty slim

Well, the question mark I'm hearing now is over the fitness of Scott Styris. If he's out, he'll be a tough man to replace like-for-like.

However, his replacement can be seen from several angles. With the depth of the NZ batting order, they could risk taking another bowler. Or, with the all-rounders of Oram, Vettori, Astle and Franklin, they could take an outandout batsman (Taylor most likely).

Or, try and replace him like-for-like. The obvious choices would be Yovich or Diamante.

However, what's the betting on another chance for McMillan or Harris?

[Mr Cricket]

Man the only thing I really miss about this squad is one of my favorite player ever to play for New Zealand a guy by the name of Chris Cairns, I miss him a lot one of my favorite big hitter I wish he had not retired....

[sittingduck]

Originally Posted by BlackCapForLife

Hamish Marshall has played well in English County Cricket and has got a bit of form and match play under his belt so probably deserves a place more than Taylor but if Marshall does get out of form again then maybe it is time to look to other options.

Yeah I've heard he had a ODI average of 60 odd. I wan't aware of this until a few days ago. Hopefully he can carry the form over to a higher level.

I don't like our chances in this however. So many teams have been playing ODI's recently while we've been in off-season mode we wont have the match fitness to compete I feel.