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ok....the Kiwi's out the way now the W I await......interesting selection of NCN for the test team.....has he even played a state game yet this year?.....good cricketer for sure but how can you reward a guy who has been out injured and recently got suspended for misconduct in a 2nds game?.....pretty sure Jackson Bird took a recent 5 for in Hobart the other day....Mennie has bowled well with regular wickets for SA.....Boland on stand by after his recent 7 wicket haul v WA.....not too sure how NCN gets in TBH.....oh well I hope the fella steps up and does the business if selected.

NCN hasn't played a 1st class game this summer freeze only a couple of Matador Cup games back in early October before succumbing to another injury. Probably won't play anyway but gee Jackson Bird is a bit stiff I thought he looked alright when he played a few Tests a couple of years ago. Surprised they haven't stumped for a NSW boy like Abbot, Singh or even Dougie but maybe Bacchus is getting the final say these days over the likes of Waugh & co!!

I think McDermott the bowling coach also sees a fair bit in NCN and even a bit of himself when he burst on the scene back in 84/85 v the Windies. He has a bit of prick about him, is aggressive and disregard the overreaction with him being suspended last 2nd Eleven game! That was a pathetic overreaction and not deserving of a ban. I think sometimes you just have to get a bloke in no matter the results of other players

It is setting a very dangerous precedent because it is effectively saying to all first-class players outside the team that their performances do not matter. It is also putting a lot of pressure on the player himself.

I was surprised to read that NCN is actually 28 years old but has only played 35 first class games. He has struggled with injuries during his career but not at the same level as Patrick Cummins...

personally i think a lot of these fast bowlers are a bit precious and need to get over themselves.

BC wrote: personally i think a lot of these fast bowlers are a bit precious and need to get over themselves.

The umpire who reported NCN was precious you mean..all he said was "At least show some fuckin consistency"

Swandog -- players should just behave full-stop. The great BA Richards missed the entire 1966-7 tour by the Australians. His indiscretion: he kicked over a pot plant at a team meeting. I think allegedly swearing at an umpire is much more serious.

Swandog wrote:

BC wrote: personally i think a lot of these fast bowlers are a bit precious and need to get over themselves.

The umpire who reported NCN was precious you mean..all he said was "At least show some fuckin consistency"

no...i mean some of these guys get the slightest niggle and go down faster than monica lewinsky. some of the greats including Lillee have come out and said today's quickies need to do more work than less.

Here what you are saying Swamdog re: getting a player in regardless just bemused that NCN gets picked with little or no FC bowling under his belt, would feel far more confident if he had a few more overs under his belt....reckon the Aussie selectors are under estimating the WI team, hope it doesnt come back to bite them.....Bird should of been picked, especially in Hobart and the WI batsmen are vulnerable in swing/seam conditions.....all NCN does is bang it in.....another one of these 145km plus bowlers the likes of Lehmann et al seem to love.....horses for courses and Bird races well at Bellerive Oval.......