India tour of New Zealand 2014

[Switchblade]

We don't give instructions on pitches: Mike Hesson http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournament/india-in-new-zealand-2014/top-stories/We-dont-give-instructions-on-pitches-Mike-Hesson/articleshow/29400571.cms AUCKLAND: New Zealand coach Mike Hesson's preference for green wickets for the two-match Test series against India beginning February 6 was apparent though he said the home team management did not give any instructions to prepare fast bowler-friendly pitches. "Eden Park does not look that green. Drop-in pitches are never green as it is and they always do something on their own. We don't give orders as such but we are pretty clear about what sort of pitches we want. But there is also a certain risk involved in that as well considering how good the Indian seamers are," said Hesson. Hesson was, however, pleased that India-born Ish Sodhi was named in the New Zealand squad to play against India in the two-match Test series. 21-year-old leg-spinner Sodhi, who has played in five Tests, will be looking to impress against the Indians, in the absence of Daniel Vettori. "Ish has been doing well and he has bowled consistently. He is the best spinner in the country at the moment and he is only 21 years old. So that is a bonus," Hesson said. Even so, Sodhi might not even get to play since Hesson himself had asked for green tracks to welcome the Indians in the build-up to this series. "Look, green wickets won't stay green for five days. The seamers need to do their job in first two or three days. The pitches have to be very green for us to not play a spinner." Hesson feels that the thrilling tie in the third ODI against India was a fair result though he was a bit disappointed that his side did not win it. "In the end a tie was the fair result, even though I am a little bit disappointed with it," Hesson said. "It was a heck of a game of cricket. Whenever there is a tie or a close finish, there are always a number of turning points. Things could have changed easily, with a run-out or a catch or a good or bad decision with the bat," he said. "Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja fought superbly and we nearly hung in there." New Zealand put up a huge 314 on the board but Ravindra Jadeja (unbeaten 66) stole a tied result for India with his heroic batting along with R Ashwin (65).

[Sidhoni]

Sorry but even now I will ask how can Raina get permanent spot? Atleast rohit had something to show for at home Raina even sucked there

Actually Raina sucked at home only against Aus. He was MOS prior to that against Poms.

[Old guy]

Actually Raina sucked at home only against Aus. He was MOS prior to that against Poms.

When did that series take place ? Also sucked in 7 Odis against Australia and then 3 against windies

[Lord]

Actually Raina sucked at home only against Aus. He was MOS prior to that against Poms.

hes a good player for home conditions,but not overseas.averages 28 with only 2 fifties.that is very poor for a specialist bat

[Sidhoni]

hes a good player for home conditions' date='but not overseas.averages 28 with only 2 fifties.that is very poor for a specialist bat[/quote'] He can do well in NZ like he did last time around. Though he doesn't have the game for places like Aus and SA.

[Lord]

He can do well in NZ like he did last time around. Though he doesn't have the game for places like Aus and SA.

his scores were 66,13*,38* and 8. okay series at best most worrying thing is pattern to his dismissals.The minute he comes to bat,captain brings on his fast bowler and he bangs it in repeatedly.then its just a matter of time

[Lord]

yuvi was dropped at rite time' date=',,,was all at sea against mitchell johnson ,,,,and against saffers,,,mclaren bullied him(wid bouncer)before dismissing him,,,,even raina also needed to be shown d door along wid yuvi[/quote'] MJ's bouncers are hard to handle for most atm.even Cook struggled. scored a 50 v WI.failed in one SA game he played.not enough imo Raina has failed for longer.still there

[BeautifulGame]

MJ's bouncers are hard to handle for most atm.even Cook struggled. scored a 50 v WI.failed in one SA game he played.not enough imo Raina has failed for longer.still there

He was embarrassed by Naraine repeatedly in that knock.Not really an endorsement.

[BeautifulGame]

Two new balls and 2 bouncer rule has made it even harder for Raina to hide his struggles imo. More than the technique he looks scared of them.Rayadu deserves a chance if Dhoni insists on batting at 6

[tweaker]

Dhawan is gutsy cricketer.He will comeback after the failure.I think he will score a century in the NZ series

[putrevus]

Dhawan should get whole series and the two tests then his position could reassessed, when he was in form he got big scores unlike Nohit away from India. Nohit needs to go.

[ThePhenomenal1]

Dhawan had another 50+ partnership, will do him good. He's the guy I would want in top order. Technique needs to be adjusted but he can be v solid. Plays beautiful shots. Just a matter of hanging in there and making a big one.

[ThePhenomenal1]

He's saying that now milne is out injured

[cricketman]

Martin crowe and Gavaskar are suggesting Jadeja at 4 in cricinfo

I don't think it is a bad idea to get him more experience up the order. This guy is SUPPOSED to be predominantly a batsman.

[Ultimate_Game]

Ashwin and Jdeja are no. 8s. Just because they scored in the previous game doesn't make them specialist batsmen. Even likes of Kumble & Srinath had a magic partnership in 90s against Aus where they won a lost game for us, and even likes of Bhajji & Zaheer have occasionally managed a match altering partnership but it doesn't make them specialist batsmen or even all-rounders.

[Lord]

I don't think it is a bad idea to get him more experience up the order. This guy is SUPPOSED to be predominantly a batsman.

maybe in dead rubbers to improve his exposure.but not in crunch situations

[cricketman]

Ashwin and Jdeja are no. 8s. Just because they scored in the previous game doesn't make them specialist batsmen. Even likes of Kumble & Srinath had a magic partnership in 90s against Aus where they won a lost game for us' date=' and even likes of Bhajji & Zaheer have occasionally managed a match altering partnership but it doesn't make them specialist batsmen or even all-rounders.[/quote'] jadeja is a batsman. He averages 50 in FC cricket with 3 triple hundreds. how can you put him in the same category as Zaheer, Srinath, and Harbhajan? and Ashwin's technique is far superior to any of the bowlers you have mentioned. Ashwin has proven that he is a quality batsman in his own right. i think Jadeja should be groomed up the order, but he is doing a pretty good job as a finisher off late (had some good knocks in CT trophy too). Ashwin should not move from lower order IMO, I don't want to make an irfan pathan out of him.

[Ultimate_Game]

jadeja is a batsman. He averages 50 in FC cricket with 3 triple hundreds. how can you put him in the same category as Zaheer, Srinath, and Harbhajan? and Ashwin's technique is far superior to any of the bowlers you have mentioned. Ashwin has proven that he is a quality batsman in his own right. i think Jadeja should be groomed up the order, but he is doing a pretty good job as a finisher off late (had some good knocks in CT trophy too). Ashwin should not move from lower order IMO, I don't want to make an irfan pathan out of him.

In 135 List A matches Jadeja has played his highest score is 78. To me he looks more a no. 8 instead of a 7. A no. 7 should be someone who has managed to score a 100 in List A cricket and should be able to be depended on in case he comes in at 130 odd for 5. I'm sorry but Jadeja's not at that level.

[putrevus]

He is saying this because dhobi on more than few occasions has defended lousy perfomance by giving pitches as excuse and forgein. Other than ganguly who on occasions blamed pitches , dhobi whines the most about pitches when touring away. If indian team is worried anout greenish pitch in nz then they better stop playing cricket altogether period.

[Old guy]

He is saying this because dhobi on more than few occasions has defended lousy perfomance by giving pitches as excuse and forgein. Other than ganguly who on occasions blamed pitches , dhobi whines the most about pitches when touring away. If indian team is worried anout greenish pitch in nz then they better stop playing cricket altogether period.

Hen has dhoni whined about pitches Away from home ? I have never seen him complain about green track infact he only demands tracks which get results at home