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"New Zealand seem to have made some fairly big decisions, particularly on Guptill" : Mickey Arthur
Pakistan cricket coach Mickey Arthur has has no doubt the Black Caps' test selectors know exactly what they're doing.
Pakistan are currently in Nelson for their three-day match against New Zealand A as the precursor to their two-test series against New Zealand.
And with the Black Caps selectors' this week introducing opening batsman Jeet Raval, legspinner Todd Astle and allrounder Colin de Grandhomme into their lineup for the next week's first test in Christchurch, Arthur said that they'd made "some big decisions which are probably justified".
Raval has replaced Martin Guptill in the New Zealand team, while Astle replaces injured left-armer Mitchell Santner as the tream's only specialist spinner. De Grandhomme will be vying for the allrounder's role with Jimmy Neesham.
While Raval and de Grandhomme have yet to play a test, Astle's only previous test appearance was against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2012.
"Mike Hesson and his panel would be able to judge the temperature pretty well as to when they need to make a change and when they don't," Arthur said during an inevitable first day rain delay at Nelson's Saxton Oval.
"So with a lot of test matches for them coming up, they seem to have made some fairly big decisions, particularly on Guptill.
"Guptill's a guy who can take it away from you but his numbers obviously haven't stacked up. Ultimately though, I've got a lot of respect for [the New Zealand selectors] and they know exactly what they're up to."
He was particularly intrigued by Astle's inclusion.
"I guess if they're not going to play four quicks in Christchurch, he's definitely playing which is an interesting selection.
"Legspinners generally are wicket-takers so they must be looking at him to strike, much like we do with Yasir [Shah]. And if the wicket isn't conducive to that, it'll be interesting to see if he can bowl to a defensive plan as well."
Pakistan's batsmen regularly face their own world-class exponent, Yasir, in the nets although were traditionally comfortable facing slower bowling.
"As I always say, you've still got to go out and face it and make those decisions out in the middle.
"Our guys are good players of spin because that's how they're brought up so it'll be interesting to see how [Astle] goes. I was actually looking at his numbers and doing a bit of analysis and his numbers seem fairly good, I mean he's certainly an attacking spinner."
Arthur wasn't surprised by Hagely Oval head groundsman Rupert Bool's declaration earlier this week that he'd be producing a "good, fair cricket wicket".
"It's generally a fairly good wicket there and if anything, it'll swing and seam a little bit," Arthur said.
"We've got some pretty handy swing and seam bowlers as well, so by him saying he's going to have a really good cricket wicket, I think that's the way to go for test cricket and that should be uniform around the world.
"I still think it's going to be top seven versus top seven really because both sides possess really good bowling attacks in all departments, seam swing, pace and spin."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricke...hur-respectful-of-New-Zealand-test-selections
Pakistan cricket coach Mickey Arthur has has no doubt the Black Caps' test selectors know exactly what they're doing.
Pakistan are currently in Nelson for their three-day match against New Zealand A as the precursor to their two-test series against New Zealand.
And with the Black Caps selectors' this week introducing opening batsman Jeet Raval, legspinner Todd Astle and allrounder Colin de Grandhomme into their lineup for the next week's first test in Christchurch, Arthur said that they'd made "some big decisions which are probably justified".
Raval has replaced Martin Guptill in the New Zealand team, while Astle replaces injured left-armer Mitchell Santner as the tream's only specialist spinner. De Grandhomme will be vying for the allrounder's role with Jimmy Neesham.
While Raval and de Grandhomme have yet to play a test, Astle's only previous test appearance was against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2012.
"Mike Hesson and his panel would be able to judge the temperature pretty well as to when they need to make a change and when they don't," Arthur said during an inevitable first day rain delay at Nelson's Saxton Oval.
"So with a lot of test matches for them coming up, they seem to have made some fairly big decisions, particularly on Guptill.
"Guptill's a guy who can take it away from you but his numbers obviously haven't stacked up. Ultimately though, I've got a lot of respect for [the New Zealand selectors] and they know exactly what they're up to."
He was particularly intrigued by Astle's inclusion.
"I guess if they're not going to play four quicks in Christchurch, he's definitely playing which is an interesting selection.
"Legspinners generally are wicket-takers so they must be looking at him to strike, much like we do with Yasir [Shah]. And if the wicket isn't conducive to that, it'll be interesting to see if he can bowl to a defensive plan as well."
Pakistan's batsmen regularly face their own world-class exponent, Yasir, in the nets although were traditionally comfortable facing slower bowling.
"As I always say, you've still got to go out and face it and make those decisions out in the middle.
"Our guys are good players of spin because that's how they're brought up so it'll be interesting to see how [Astle] goes. I was actually looking at his numbers and doing a bit of analysis and his numbers seem fairly good, I mean he's certainly an attacking spinner."
Arthur wasn't surprised by Hagely Oval head groundsman Rupert Bool's declaration earlier this week that he'd be producing a "good, fair cricket wicket".
"It's generally a fairly good wicket there and if anything, it'll swing and seam a little bit," Arthur said.
"We've got some pretty handy swing and seam bowlers as well, so by him saying he's going to have a really good cricket wicket, I think that's the way to go for test cricket and that should be uniform around the world.
"I still think it's going to be top seven versus top seven really because both sides possess really good bowling attacks in all departments, seam swing, pace and spin."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricke...hur-respectful-of-New-Zealand-test-selections
