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Posted April 01, 2015 00:46 · last edited March 18, 2021 07:29

Jeff Vader wrote:

I still think that Guptill should be used as a test opener and have always believed that. I know the common comment is that he is a short game player but I think he has the technical skills courtesy of Crowes refinement and should be the test opener. Then I guess you decide if Latham or Rutherford plays alongside him. Williamson, Taylor, McCullum and Watling pick themselves. Anderson, Southee, Wagner, Boult and I assume Craig is the spinner.
For me, I don't see many holes and there are a lot there that pick themselves so think the other positions are more form picks or course picks. Bracewell v Wagner (if he has grown up) Neesham v Anderson and the other spinner Craig v Sodhi.

I guess the only other name outside that is Brownlie but he has to be better than Taylor, Williamson and McCullum at 3, 4 and 5. He does not keep and can't bowl so he does not get in at 6 and 7 so don't see where he fits at all.

Then he needs to sort his mentality or technique to stop nicking out early. His test record is poor for a player of his obvious talent. It's better to have an opener with an average of 35 who plays to that every time than someone who has an average of 35 who gets out cheaply 9 times out of 10.

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Unknown editor edited March 18, 2021 07:29
Jeff Vader wrote:

I still think that Guptill should be used as a test opener and have always believed that. I know the common comment is that he is a short game player but I think he has the technical skills courtesy of Crowes refinement and should be the test opener. Then I guess you decide if Latham or Rutherford plays alongside him. Williamson, Taylor, McCullum and Watling pick themselves. Anderson, Southee, Wagner, Boult and I assume Craig is the spinner.
For me, I don't see many holes and there are a lot there that pick themselves so think the other positions are more form picks or course picks. Bracewell v Wagner (if he has grown up) Neesham v Anderson and the other spinner Craig v Sodhi.

I guess the only other name outside that is Brownlie but he has to be better than Taylor, Williamson and McCullum at 3, 4 and 5. He does not keep and can't bowl so he does not get in at 6 and 7 so don't see where he fits at all.

Then he needs to sort his mentality or technique to stop nicking out early. His test record is poor for a player of his obvious talent. It's better to have an opener with an average of 35 who plays to that every time than someone who has an average of 35 who gets out cheaply 9 times out of 10.