Save Skippy Sinclair

I can see the cause for concern, but after a fantastic team victory in Hamilton, I am going to start the 'Save Mathew Sinclair' campaign.

In defence of the loose shot that cost him his wicket during that incredible session of cricket on Saturday afternoon – he was playing to team tactics.

Sinclair and his equally poor (just for that one session) colleagues were sent out with instructions to be aggressive.

Aggressive they were – sadly, it was their execution that was lacking.

Already the calls for his head have begun – and I agree they are not unwarranted – but in this unique situation (where there are few other options) I think he deserves more chances.

In his most recent Black Cap stint (his 4th recall to the Test team overall) he has had just had four opportunities to bat. He scored 29 and 47 against Bangladesh and 8 and 2 in the first Test against England.

It's not great but it's not appalling either and New Zealand ended up on the winning side of all these Test matches.

Arguing against his retention, however, was the excellent 108 made by - New Zealand Cricket's anointed batsman in waiting - Grant Elliot against Auckland.

And also the good domestic form of James Marshall and Greg Hay may have the selectors second guessing themselves.

All of these claims are hard to ignore but Sinclair still hasn't had the opportunity to offer his best at international level.

Martin Crowe said earlier this year he felt Sinclair was 'uncoachable'. This maybe the case but we know that his unique technique can be successful too.

He seems to be hung out to dry based on an idea of what he is capable of rather than what he does.

Sinclair's average of 34.08 doesn't look bad compared to some of the other batsmen currently in our national team.

He, however, seems to always have that fact disregarded because he has three Test innings in excess of 150 to his name. Why should those great performances be used against him?

His bizarre selection record has also meant since he registered his debut 214 against the West Indies he has never played them again.

He has also played 22 of his 50 innings against Australia and South Africa and just 12 against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

He has never played India and his most recent Test was his first ever against England.

So, while the mood of cricket fans is upbeat, and he has confident team mates playing around him give him another chance. After all – why change a winning team?

Does Matthew Sinclair deserve to be dropped? Who should replace him?

YOUR COMMENTS

6 - 10 of 16 Entries
< Previous Page  |
1  |
2  |
3  |
4  |
Next Page >
dan_oatridge69 - posted Mar 12 11:24 am
he has been juggled around so often in the batting line up he has no idea where he is meant to play and how he is meant to bat. Mathews been given a hard time, he fails and much like Lou Vincent he gets dropped immediately, where as guys (who have half as much talent as Lou and Skippy) like the Marshell twins!!!!!!! Get retained and keep getting chances...Only now have the selectors seen some sense and dropped them.

I see everyone is all for dropping him but who have you got to replace him?
mattyngnz - posted Mar 12 11:38 am
With Sinclair, you just get that impression he will score if the wicket is flat, the bowling average. Otherwise he isn't willing to nut it out and and fight if the going gets tough. His big scores have been early in his career - what has he done in the last ten tests or so? But there aren't too many other options unfortunately, Vincent may have been one but no longer. Can Hay/Elliot make the transition from domestic to international cricket or be another Papps/Cumming?
mattyngnz - posted Mar 12 11:40 am
But I agree with John's comments re 2nd innings shots - everyone was guilty of poor execution, McCullum especially. Play yourself in before going for a cross batted swipe!
jcout007 - posted Mar 12 11:54 am
Sinclair does deserve to be dropped the reason being he just isnt up to international standards with the bat, at least with Grant Elliot he frees up another bowling option and a batting option, what do we have to lose by dropping Sinclair if he cant perform consistantly then hes got to go, at the moment as risky as it sounds McCullum is in the form of his life so why not put him at four and maybe look at batting Elliot Lower but for me definatly put in Elliot.
jcout007 - posted Mar 12 11:57 am
What about Martin Guptill as well he looks the goods and two metre Peter, and maybe look at moving Jamie How down the order like in the onedayers....
Post a comment
6 - 10 of 16 Entries
< Previous Page  |
1  |
2  |
3  |
4  |
Next Page >

 
To post a new comment, you must Sign in first.

YAHOO!XTRA SPORTS:

ALSO ON YAHOO!XTRA:


Search:
Advertise with us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Help
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! All rights reserved.
Yahoo!Xtra: A Yahoo!7/Telecom New Zealand Company.