I guess it comes down to whether you are willing to accept a middle order with very little experience Todd/Flynn/Hay plus the relatively veteran Ryder or go for something with seemingly less natural talent, but comparatively bags of experience and pick Nicol over Todd or Flynn.

Nicol has had a disappointing season, relatively speaking. I could easily be swayed to select him over Todd, who I've never actually seen play rather than Flynn who looked promising when I first saw him play 2 years ago.

Tough one.

Redmond, McIntosh
Nicol, Ryder, Hay, Flynn
Griggs, Watling
Patel, N.McCullum
Hiini, Southee, Gillespie, McKay

or

Redmond, McIntosh
Ryder, Hay, Flynn, Todd
Griggs, Watling
Patel, N.McCullum
Hiini, Southee, Gillespie, McKay

Team A or Team B?

Good point Andy, perhaps we should seek out the other Kiwis on here for their opinions, or anyone else who might be interested.

We might be waiting a long time for that, I'm afraid. No sign of crabs, CD Stags or Mr. Kiwi this year. Very disappointing.

It's a surprise considering how much is going on in NZ cricket at the moment on and off the field but you're right.

I'm not sure which to go with the middle order but I'm still leaning towards leaving Nicol out.

State Championship final is on at the moment. Canterbury 149/6 in the third session of day one. Only a few of the A team players are taking part. The teams are (A teamers in bold):

WELLINGTON FIREBIRDS: ME Parlane (captain), MD Bell, NR Parlane, GD Elliott, SJ Gellatly, CJ Nevin, LJ Woodcock, DJ Bowden, JS Patel, MR Gillespie, IE O'Brien CANTERBURY WIZARDS: CFK van Wyk (captain), MHW Papps, TD Astle, JG Myburgh, PG Fulton, SL Stewart, IA Robertson, BC Hiini, MPF Davidson, LM Burtt, HK Bennett

None of the three have done anything yet with Hiini new to the crease and Patel and Gillespie yet to take any wickets.

Patel has actually taken two wickets - Papps and Stewart both Lbw.

Yes, I was just coming on here to correct that, I'd misheard Radio Sport earlier

Andy, seems noone else is interested unfortunately, I'm happy to endorse whatever selection you make on the middle order. I was leaning towards leaving Nicol out but you made a good argument on the need for experience so I can't work out now which way I want to go. I know I'm fence sitting but I'll be happy either way.

Do have Nicol's first class stats for this season somewhere? If they're mediocre, I think we'll go for Todd.

I've looked them up and it's 8 matches, 11 innings, 234 at 19.5 which is mediocre even by New Zealand standards. His career avg is 35.86 but I don't think we can justify selecting him based on this season's form.