Opening Partnership and the captaincy??

[mismaiden]

Hey guys i just want to discuss our opening spots in Macullum and Astle. We all know this needs to be sorted out before the world cup in a couple of months. I like brendon as a batsman but i think he is better suited closing the innings. And as for captaincy i reckon they should give Dan vettori a shot at it for the chappel-hadlee series coming up and let flemm focus on his batting to regain his form again. Just my thoughts how about yours??

[Andy Mellon]

Personally, I don't think either McCullum or Astle should be opening. Trouble is, there's a bit of a dearth of opening talent around at the moment in NZ. Think of the main openers in NZ cricket - Michael Papps, Matthew Bell, Jamie How, Todd Astle etc. None of these guys are the sort of explosive opener that seems to be required in ODI cricket these days.

So, you try and crowbar a middle-order player into the openers slot. Personally, of the tried and trusted players, I'd play Lou Vincent. If he comes off, he can come off in a big way; he certainly has the big shots needed in ODI cricket. Now, for the other opener, we'd probably have to look to domestic cricket to provide an answer. Unfortunately, the only name I can come up with at the moment is Jesse Ryder. There are better technical players out there, but a lot of these are over the hill whereas blooding Ryder could pay off in the long run. Another guy from the middle orders who I've seen play a few shots is Flynn of Central Districts. Tough call though.

[KennyG]

Keep Fleming as the captain.
Could Taylor open?
He looked good against Australia last week.

[mismaiden]

Yeah Andy i was thinking about lou vincent he got a good score for auckland yesterday. I have no idea why the selectors hav'nt looked at him again. And i like Mathew Bell as a batsman but i always think of him as a good test cricketer i mean he scored that hundred here in Hamilton against i think it was pakistan (please correct me if i am wrong) that was a few years ago now and what an innings that was. And kenny i am not sure about Ross opening he might be okay where does he bat for central do you know. All i know is that the world cup is just around the corner and if the kiwis are gunna try somthing new what better series to try it in is the chapple hadlee one. Heres a thought how about Peter Fulton and Ross Taylor why not try that what do you think guys??