I noticed that about McKay's age listed as unknown on cric info, it reminded be of the days commentators suspected and speculated Waqar Younis was 4-5 years older than he actualy was

I think Waqar's bowling arm won that dispute.

I notice Ross Taylor is about to go up for auction in the IPL second round.

Alright where are we at with this squad? Anyone else want to say who their preferred players are? Only a couple of weeks before Andy and I want this team sorted out so have your say please. All welcome!!

How do you feel about confirming the following in the squad, then we can debate the others.

Openers: Redmond and AN Other
Middle Order: Taylor, Ryder, Hay and AN Other.
Keepers: Griggs and AN Other.
Spinners: Patel and AN Other.
Bolwers: Southee, Hiini, AN Other and AN Other.

From reviewing the thread I think we're in agreement about these eight players leaving us to select an opener, a mid order bat, a keeper, a spinner and two seamers.

I'm fairly happy with that Sittingduck, though it may be preferable to select someone other than Ross Taylor as even though he hasn't reached the five cap limit, we know (barring injury) that this will happen in the next 2 or 3 months.

Taylors playing his five test now so I think your right Andy we should leave him out, he'll definately have played more than five by the end of the tour to England.

To go though the team systematically form where I see it:
Aaron Redmond is one opener, the other spot I'm going to suggest McIntosh after his big innings yesterday (260 odd i think) He'd been averaging in the high 30s for the season before that so I think that innings has tipped the scales in his favour for me now.

Middle Order, Ryder and Hay are in. Todd was a stand out in the first half of the season so I'd like him in the side also and am happy to round that out with either Nicol or Flynn.

Spin: Patel is a must we know, the other spot is open to suggestions still, it's a shallow pond to fish from but I'll suggest Lythe.

Seam: Southee and Hiini are musts.
The other contenders are Gillespie who offers genuine pace and wicket taking ability or McKay who is a promising prospect and offers a point of difference with his left armers.
Grant Elliot has made an uninspiring test debut so in terms of experience he's a contendor. I'm not convinced by him as while this is really the first time I've seen him play he doesn't seem to be a wicket taker, more a container. I'd prefer him to have a bit more pace, however I'm ok with him being in the squad (not the XI) as he can provide batting cover at six.

So i'll suggest an XI of

1. Redmond
2. McIntosh
3. Flynn/Nicol
4. Ryder
5. Hay
6. Todd
7. Griggs
8. Hini
9. Southee
10. Patel
11. Gillespie

With the extended squad consisting of with two decisions still to make.
Redmond, McIntosh
Flynn/Nicol, Ryder, Hay, Todd
Griggs, Watling
Patel, Lythe
Hini, Southee, Gillespie, Elliot/McKay

Well, I've never ever been convinced by McIntosh. He always seems to boost his season average with one decent knock. He had an abysmal season last year as I recall and I doubt he'll ever succeed at international level. That said, there's not really many available options and as it is, Redmond is really only a makeshift opener.

With regards to the middle order, Ryder and Hay are musts and to me it comes down to a toss-up between Flynn, Nicol, Todd and Broom for the two other spots. There really are some good middle order players available for selection. Personally, I'd rather go with Nicol for the #3 slot and I guess Todd's as good an option as any for #6.

With the squad, I'd be inclined to leave Elliott out, seeing as Lythe will already provide the batting backup required if necessary, and BJ Watling is available as a backup top order player too. As a result, I'm inclined to choose McKay over Elliott.


1. Redmond
2. McIntosh
3. Flynn/Nicol
4. Ryder
5. Hay
6. Todd
7. Griggs
8. Hini
9. Southee
10. Patel
11. Gillespie

With the extended squad consisting of with two decisions still to make.
Redmond, McIntosh
Nicol, Ryder, Hay, Todd
Griggs, Watling
Patel, Lythe
Hiini, Southee, Gillespie, McKay

This squad clearly leaves us at odds with the national team selectors as they have selected Flynn and Elliott as new blackcaps this season, and this pair are not in our squad. Flynn and Elliott could easily be substituted in for Nicol and Todd, though to my mind, this is the only debate left.

A shame that Schaw hasn't had a better season to contend for the spare spinner spot.

It's not often I agree with the selectors andy so I'm happy to go against their judgement again here. Elliot didn't really impress me in the Napier test as he said he's a container not a wicket taker.
Plus Hiini provides plenty of batting depth at 8 and apparently Southees not bad either.

After Elliott's innings today, I'm inclined to agree with you.

So, does that leave us with:

1. Redmond
2. McIntosh
3. Flynn/Nicol
4. Ryder
5. Hay
6. Todd
7. Griggs
8. Hini
9. Southee
10. Patel
11. Gillespie

With the extended squad consisting of with two decisions still to make.
Redmond, McIntosh
Nicol, Ryder, Hay, Todd
Griggs, Watling
Patel, Lythe
Hiini, Southee, Gillespie, McKay

I'm still far from convinced with McIntosh, and Flynn and Broom are unlucky to be left out... but...

Anyone else out there interested in contributing??

I think the New Zealand commentators mentioned the name Watling as a possibilty when naming their squad for England. They also said Gareth Hopkins should be the backup 'keeper, but I don't know if he's eligible.