Posted: 13 March 2010 at 12:15pm | IP Logged

Going to name the 1st Test side tomorrow to get thrashed by Australia next week.  Thought I'd throw my XI out there ...

McIntosh
Watling
McCullum, B
Taylor
Guptil
Williamson*
Vettori
Hopkins/Young
Tuffey
Southee
Martin

12th Man: Patel

*Williamson is batting at the moment at Cobham Oval.  If he scores another ton today, I say pick the b*st*rd.  All this crap about exposing him to danger too young is exactly that ... crap.  He deserves his shot and I don't think he will let us down.  Gives Vettori the choice of three part-time offies to back him up as well, in Taylor, Guptil and Williamson.

McCullum to man up and take the heat at first drop.  He's done it before, he seems to thrive on a challenge, and he has an iffy back apparently.  Better to keep him upright and let Hopkins or Young keep wicket.

Posted: 13 March 2010 at 12:56pm | IP Logged

Interesting, Reece Young. I'm not sure he is quite as good a keeper as Hopkins and I think we have seen in the last week that there is a gap between Baza and Hopkins so I would rather see McCullum keep the gloves. But Youngs no mug and he can bat.

I'd actually go for someone different other than Williamson for the test team. I was all for bringing him into the ODI team but I dont know about the test. My man, and I argued for him at the start of the season would be Luke Woodcock.

Test cricket is all about the mental toughness. Woodcock has pretty good technique and in the last couple of years has really gone from being a spin bowling allrounder of sorts to a genuine middle order batsman. He also gets his big runs when Wellington are in the sh*t. Hes like Joey Yovich, plays his best cricket when Wellington are 5-3 or something similar.Hes a man for a fight and thats what we will need next week.

Taylor to 3, hes our best batsman so he should bat there, Guptil at 4 and Woodcock at 5. I'd also be finding a spot for Arnel. We are killing the comp and hes been our best player, hes contracted so throw him in. His form warrants it.

Posted: 13 March 2010 at 1:49pm | IP Logged

I kind of agree with FJ. Williamson is ready on form alone - however the team is a seamer short. Guptill is a more realistic second spinner option that Taylor if things are desperate, however, I really don't think he should be counted on.

Macintosh
Watling
Guptill
Taylor
Broom
Vettori
McCullum
Hopkins/Williamson/Shaw
Tuffey
Southee
Arnel

12th man - Beard

If McCullum is up to keeping then bring Williamson in and slot him in ahead of Vettori.

Posted: 13 March 2010 at 3:02pm | IP Logged

Williamson 104* in Whangarei at the moment.  Yeah, they should have blooded him in the ODI's but it's time.  Holding him back because he might be "fragile" sends the wrong message to him.  Everyone says he's a prodigious talent, one of the best to come along in NZ cricket in quite some time.

Who remembers McGrath and Warne getting caned early in their careers.  What about Hadlee.  If the kid is good enough, he's old enough.  The worst he can do is four ducks for now, hardly the end of the world.  Get him in there.

Agree about Arnel, I'd swap him out for Tuffey in my side.

Posted: 13 March 2010 at 4:08pm | IP Logged

Williamson is pretty relaxed about national selection. He's honestly not bothered if they dont pick him for a while, he's confident but doesnt take it for granted.

He is honestly, the most impressive young man I have ever met, just so calm and relaxed, confident but not up himself, humble to boot. Unselfish, plays for the team first.

There is the thought though that he could learn a lot by going on another A tour or emerging players tour. I kind of want him to play against Australia but then I kind of dont.