NZ tour of India
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A delay - via CricInfo...
8.58am: "Our main concern is the 30-yard (circle) and the bowlers' run-ups," says umpire Nitin Menon. "The conditions will not be 100% because it has rained last two days. But once the sunshine is out, we may get better conditions." Fellow umpire Anil Chaudhary adds: "Safety is the only thing, the rest is fine."
8.42am: We've had a lot of rain leading up to this game in Mumbai, so the toss is delayed. Inspection at 9.30 am. Ajit Agarkar says the sun's not yet out and there are still damp patches on the bowlers' run-ups, so it will take some time to dry out. Commends the ground staff for a sterling job, given the extremely wet weather.
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Unhappy speculation...
9.18am: Simon Doull speculates on air that Kane Williamson's elbow problem might have been acting up and he might not play. It'll be huge for New Zealand if they don't have their best batter and captain. Meanwhile, we also have Ajit Agarkar and Deep Dasgupta's pitch report: It has better carry than what Kanpur had. Might hold together more because there's moisture and it's been under the covers for two days. There are also cracks near a spinner's good length and the pitch will take turn as the game goes on. "You don't want to bat last, but if you bat first, you need to bat really well," says Agarkar.
9.12am: Update: We've got some news for you. The sun is peeking through a little. The areas affected are the bowlers' run-ups and short point at one end. The umpires feel they can't expect 100% perfect conditions, so if those areas dry out, the match can start. Meanwhile, we're hearing that there's a chance Mohammed Siraj could come back into the XI. He's fully fit now, recovered from the finger injury he got on his left hand in the T20Is.
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@donsteppa said in NZ tour of India:
Williamson confirmed out. Latham to captain. No other team news. I imagine Mitchell will be in to bat at six, and perhaps Wags for Somerville.
Edit: Glen Phillips being an obvious option who I'd forgotten...
Furk
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I suppose Philips joining the batting lineup would allow a bowling mix of;
Jamieson
Southee
Wags
Frontline spinner: Patel
Parttime/backup spinners: Ravindra and Philips... unless they think the pitch will take pace, but either way, Wags is surely back...?
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@booboo said in NZ tour of India:
@donsteppa said in NZ tour of India:
Williamson confirmed out. Latham to captain. No other team news. I imagine Mitchell will be in to bat at six, and perhaps Wags for Somerville.
Edit: Glen Phillips being an obvious option who I'd forgotten...
Furk
No Williamson and no Conway... no pressure on Messrs Taylor and Nicholls...
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@donsteppa what's up with Conway?
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@paekakboyz said in NZ tour of India:
@donsteppa what's up with Conway?
Still out with a broken hand from punching his bat.
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@paekakboyz said in NZ tour of India:
@donsteppa what's up with Conway?
Smashed his hand against his bat in the T20 semi final. Missed final and First Test
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@donsteppa said in NZ tour of India:
Williamson confirmed out. Latham to captain. No other team news. I imagine Mitchell will be in to bat at six, and perhaps Wags for Somerville.
Edit: Glen Phillips being an obvious option who I'd forgotten...
I'd pick Mitch Jr. and by quite a wide margin over Phillips.
I doubt either of their bowling will be much used or much use.
I watched Phillips score a 50 in his only test to date and it was about as chancy as they come.
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Big question of course is who will bat in the top 3?
I'd imagine they'll promote Blundell to open and move Young to first drop - which might perhaps lean them towards Philips as someone who could take a stint with the wicketkeeping gloves to give Blundell a chance to freshen up near the end of an innings?
I'd still pick Mitch Jr. and make Blundell tough it out.
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@chris-b said in NZ tour of India:
Big question of course is who will bat in the top 3?
I'd imagine they'll promote Blundell to open and move Young to first drop - which might perhaps lean them towards Philips as someone who could take a stint with the wicketkeeping gloves to give Blundell a chance to freshen up near the end of an innings?
I'd still pick Mitch Jr. and make Blundell tough it out.
Latham could keep for a while if necessary.
