I want to see this NZ squad for WC 2011

1.McCullum+
2.Ryder
3.Guptill
4.Taylor
5.Styris
6.Franklin
7.Oram
8.Vettori (c)
9.NcCullum
10.Mills
11.Milne/Southee

Would personally bat Guptill ahead of Williamson in the ODI's. Not only does Guptill average over 30 with the bat & strikes over 80, but he's also a freak in the field & usually saves around 10-15 runs an innings with freakish stops. For me, Williamson's still more of a test prospect at this stage.

We're also effectively forced to play N. McCullum as the second spinner in subcontinent conditions & to be fair to him he was probably one of the better performed players in our nightmarish last dozen or so ODI's.

It's probably wishful thinking that Milne, under the guidance of Bond will take the world by storm in the next couple of months, but what the hey

Edit: Massive boost to get Oram back, he's criminally underrated as a one-day bowler & his return along with Franklin suddenly makes our batting line-up look ridiculously deep.

McCullum's 225 - Easily the best test innings in the recent times for NZ

Was such a great moment when Brendon brought up his 200. I was at the stadium; The innings that I can never forget in my life time.

Team's Batting Performance

Two test draws against India. Batsmen scoring runs more than once a series. Everyone in the top 7 contributing. Openers scoring centuries!!! Three innings without a massive collapse. Two 400+ scores and a 'low' score of 350 in three innings. They may be flat pitches but the NZ batsmen I know would still conspire to get themselves out.

Yet another splendid batting performance from NZ, making it really difficult for India to win a series they entirely expected to win at a canter. The batting in the second innings again showed good intent and discipline, while McCullum will quite rightly take the headlines with a tremendous match saving double ton, Kane Williamson impressed once again. He seemed more positive and fluent than when he made his century in the first Test, he was willing to come down the pitch to the spinners and hit over the top, and his back foot strokeplay was again good.

This is SO GOOD.

What happened to the real NZ? This must be what it feels like to support a proper test team.

What will we all constantly whinge about? Will Jonathan Millmow and the talkback troupe need new jobs? You can't complain much about McIntosh, McCullum and Guptill after this.

India vs New Zealand Day 2 - My Take on the day's action

I watched this day's match at the stadium. The atmosphere was awesome. Every run scored & wicket taken by India team was cheered; although ocassionally any good performance by NZ fielders was also equally cheered by the crowd.

My Take on the day's action:
1. Sehwag's Dismissal at 96:
Man that is such a brainless shot. Sometimes it seems he just doesnt respect the game of cricket, like he just cant be bothered even trying to take it seriously. I guess 'thats how he plays'. Still love him though, my favourite non-nz player, but geez it annoys me to see someone with as much talent as ive ever seen just throw an innings away, at least wait until youve got the ton!

2. Ryder vs Taylor thought while watching the game
With regards to Whether Ryder > Taylor in tests. I was having this conversation today with my friend at the stadium. I think it is too soon to tell. Right now for me Ryder = Taylor. Give Ryder another ten test matches and then I think we will know. Of the two of them I prefer Taylor's technique.

3. On Kane's Dismissal
Dissapointed with Kane's dismissal - I thought a forward defence would have been better than an attempted drive through the on side. Needs to give respect to Khan.

Looking forward to tomorrow's day of play..Go Black Caps

Big positives for NZ after 1st Test

Big positives for NZ to take out of this first game, and they deserve plenty of credit for really pushing India onto the back foot.

The batting was impressive, they were disciplined and patient in registering a more than competitive total. Williamson was outstanding, his understanding of what was required on that pitch was instant, now I don't know if we can expect a more free flowing innings on a pitch with more pace in it, or if he is by nature a watchful player with a very good temperament, as I haven't seen too much of him. He certainly got it right here anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.

It was Martin's effort that got NZ into a position of potentially winning the game against the odds, great wholehearted effort from him.