Will we win the test series in NZ?

[Ram]

I’d give us a puncher’s chance only because the Kiwis have the worst batsmen among all front line test playing nations (with the exception of maybe West Indies). There simply isn’t enough quality in their batting line-up (which is not surprising for a country with a population of less than that of a rural Indian town..) to consistently compete against the top test match nations. But Boult has been providing them with some real umpfff in the bowling, which is a cause for concern for us. A lot will depend on the pitches too. Last time we were there, the pitches were ridiculously flat. So flat, it seemed like the Kiwis wanted to make amends for our previous trip in 2002-2003 when neither team could cross 150.

[Vijy]

Many people seem to be underestimating NZ. Yeah' date=' they are ranked very low but that's mainly because they are really poor while playing away from home. South Africa were able to win 1-0, England were only able to draw, WI were thrashed. They even drew the series in Australia when they got a green pitch. In home conditions they are going to be a real challenge. They have a much better seam attack than India's and with Rutherford, Taylor, Williamson, McCullum have a decent batting lineup as well.[/quote'] If Ryder plays, we can kiss all our chances of even winning or drawing a single Test goodbye.

[King Tendulkar]

aaron in domestic this year: 6 matches, 19 @ 21.73

Thats really good after such a lay off. Impressive. And will get better. Also not just nice getting wickets. But this below shows doing it with pace, which is vital factor http://www.espncricinfo.com/ranji-trophy-2013-14/content/story/698041.html

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Thats really good after such a lay off. Impressive. And will get better. Also not just nice getting wickets. But this below shows doing it with pace, which is vital factor http://www.espncricinfo.com/ranji-trophy-2013-14/content/story/698041.html

Tare said. "Wasim bhai is a big batsman and in good form. That was a big wicket. The pitch isn't all that great for a fast bowler and is kind of slow. But he bowled quick. But I think Umesh [Yadav] bowled a bit quicker [for Vidarbha in Mumbai's previous game]."

[King Tendulkar]

Play both:winky:

[cowboysfan]

We have a chance if we see green wickets,otherwise our bowlers are no match to the kiwis who have some excellent swing bowlers.

[The Outsider]

One thing I am looking forward to about the series is the timing. Come back from office and start watching, have dinner, play with the kid and put him to sleep during dull periods, and off to bed at a decent enough time.

[Vijy]

Play both:winky:

What exactly will speed do? Play them both and they can get thrashed on pitches that are more conducive to swing. In general, what matters is control of line and length, seam and swing, allied to decent pace (around 135 kmph or higher). We don't need more erratic pacers bowling > 140 kmph.

[vijay50]

Get ready for a 2-0 thrashing from NZ. Apart from 2009, when did we ever win a series in Nz? Check the history. NZ has some really good upcoming fast bowlers and they are very strong in their home conditions.

[Desi Cartman]

Depends if Sharmas are playing

[ThePhenomenal1]

What exactly will speed do? Play them both and they can get thrashed on pitches that are more conducive to swing. In general' date=' what matters is control of line and length, seam and swing, allied to decent pace (around 135 kmph or higher). We don't need more erratic pacers bowling > 140 kmph.[/quote'] A fast, well-directed bouncer can get a wicket. A fast yorker with seam/swing can get a wicket. With pace, you get more chance of getting a lbw. Swing works better with some pace. Need to extract movement, and pace can get you that. A 120kph-130kph trundler never won india a match, not recently anyway. Need fast bowlers to match up to theirs. They want to prepare green tops? Let's make them wish they hadn't. Fight their fire with our own!

[Vijy]

A fast, well-directed bouncer can get a wicket. A fast yorker with seam/swing can get a wicket. With pace, you get more chance of getting a lbw. Swing works better with some pace. Need to extract movement, and pace can get you that. A 120kph-130kph trundler never won india a match, not recently anyway. Need fast bowlers to match up to theirs. They want to prepare green tops? Let's make them wish they hadn't. Fight their fire with our own!

McGrath and Pollock managed quite well without express pace, though they both could and did bowl around 130-135 kmph. A more recent example is Asif and also Philander. Philander has a much better record despite being "slower" than Steyn, Johnson, etc. Ryan Harris is another bowler who has good pace, but he's certainly not express pace. I'd take any of the four bowlers mentioned above as compared to the likes of express bowlers such as Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar, etc.

[fineleg]

^ Philander is a good bowler, but guess who India handled most comfortably amongst Steyn, Morkel and Philander? Want to venture a guess as to why that was the case? Phil did bowl with all his good skills, but better batsmen have that fraction of a second longer to play out Phil compared to Steyn or Morkel.

[ThePhenomenal1]

McGrath and Pollock managed quite well without express pace, though they both could and did bowl around 130-135 kmph. A more recent example is Asif and also Philander. Philander has a much better record despite being "slower" than Steyn, Johnson, etc. Ryan Harris is another bowler who has good pace, but he's certainly not express pace. I'd take any of the four bowlers mentioned above as compared to the likes of express bowlers such as Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar, etc.

It's not just about pace or else yadav could bowl 6 no-ball bouncers at 147 and leak runs. That wouldn't get a wicket. But having 120kph bowlers will lose us games. And more often than not, a 140+ bowler will help you win a match. We don't need express pace. Maybe 1 bowler who can bowl the odd ball 149/150. I'd take 5 140kph+ bowlers anyday. I'd rather our bowlers have the pace than not have it. They just need to be told how to bowl accurately and take wickets WITH GOOD/GREAT PACE. Shouldn't be a compromise

[King Tendulkar]

What exactly will speed do? Play them both and they can get thrashed on pitches that are more conducive to swing. In general' date=' what matters is control of line and length, seam and swing, allied to decent pace (around 135 kmph or higher). We don't need more erratic pacers bowling > 140 kmph.[/quote'] You do realise you can bowl 140 plus with swing/seam and accuracy. You do understand that?

[vijay50]

Nehra,Yadav and Shami for the first test along with Jadeja.

[Vijy]

You do realise you can bowl 140 plus with swing/seam and accuracy. You do understand that?

I do. And the current number of bowlers who have both attributes on a consistent and threatening basis are only Steyn and Johnson, perhaps also Harris. Hence, given the paucity of such players in current times, I'd rather take line-and-length trundlers like Bhuvi (and PK of 2 years ago) for seaming and swinging pitches. Will be glad to be proven wrong if Yadav and Aaron do well, but I'm not very optimistic.

[Cricketics]

Want India to win so that I can shut some of my friends up who have been going on about us not wining overseas in a while, but I feel NZ is gong to be a tough place to win. It's going to be a Draw for me.

[Cricketics]

One thing I am looking forward to about the series is the timing. Come back from office and start watching' date=' have dinner, play with the kid and put him to sleep during dull periods, and off to bed at a decent enough time.[/quote'] Hahaha. Same here. Looking forward to it.

[special K]

New Zealand will win easily.