vettori to open?

[Mr Kiwi]

I read on stuff.co.nz that Vettori would like another shot at opening the innings with Astle . . .

Yet another option for the revolving door of NZ openers or not?

Quite frankly i don't think it's a question of 'who's batting with astle' but more 'when's astle gonna get some runs?'. While he's probably one of my favourite players lately it seems his peaks are becoming heavily outweighed by his troughs (please, someone tell me i'm wrong . . .) - in ODI's at least, test's he's still going strong.

I think the NZ top order has suffered from having too many middle order players thrown in at the top of the order (a cynic would say a NZ middle order bat should be used to opening 'cause they're out there in the third over anyway). While the NZ batting in general has suffered from having too many 'dashers' and not enough 'anchors', especially with Marshall's current run of form.

For me it's Flem and Astle everytime

[Andy Mellon]

Hmmm. Well, i have to say I don't agree with all the chopping and changing that seems to go on at the top of the Kiwi order, and I can't imagine that Vettori will be that great opening the batting. Personally, I'd still prefer to see Astle in at 3 with Fleming and Sinclair/Vincent opening with him. I have to agree that the Kiwi batting line up is maddeningly inconsistent! I don't think a single batsman had an all out disaster in South Africa, but the problem was that only one batsman could perform in each match!

[Captain]

Outside point but sounds like Pakistan's woes.

[Vrock]

Makes sense, they may as well stick with Astle/Flemmng. I'd certainly leave Fleming if anyone seen as he always makes a solid foundation for the innings.

[Mike]

Astle's batting average in ODIs at Home as an opener is 45.01. His average as an opener outside New Zealand is 29.37. Any average under 30 is a sure sign of inconsistency. He doesn't score as many 50s or 100s when playing away from home.

I'm sure Astle isn't the only player to perform below his ability in Away matches so finding a replacement is not straightforward. Astle's strike-rate in Test matches (49.4) indicates he isn't a naturally aggressive batsman like Gayle, Sehwag and Hayden and he probably is uncomfortable pushing that SR up into the 70s for ODIs. New Zealand need to find an aggressive batsman to open and drop Astle to 3 or 4 where he can play a more "consolidating innings".

[Zainub]

What's wrong with Lou Vicnet opening, I'm a big fan of him you know. Vincent and Fleming sounds like a good idea to me.

[Vrock]

Maybe they should do a Pakistan and experiment a bit.

[Zainub]

You mean try 10 new combinations in 11 matches and keep doing so until you find the right one? As Pakistan have find out, this can tend to be a bit unsettling at times...

[Vrock]

Maybe for one series try it, they are bound to lose to Aus. seen as they are back on top form in one-dayers. See if any combo works really well and stick with that till the World Cup.

[arsalan660]

useless kiwi wants to make the mistakes that pakistan is doing by changing openers astle an dfleming are the best