Bryan young WAS a very good opener - effective at occupying the crease and technically very good. He scored extremely slowly, I dont believe comparing averages is fair. Also its not fair to compare him to Taylor or McCullum, different players different roles, full stop. Anyhow if you want to get nostalgic Richardson was the best opener we've had in recent times. But Skippy Sinclair come on! Technically he is shuffly and aweful. I can also understand "easing" Williamson in. Absolutely magic this season, but performed horribly in the "A" tours. I seem to remember Greg Hay having a magic season 2 years back. If Williamson is good enough (and I believe he is) his time will come. Patel should've never been there, originally he was picked for ODIs as it was felt he was effective at the death, he's lingered around for far too long.

@ bertram. u sir are a joke, u have previously stated (on another opinion article) that u believe bryan young was a great batsmen. bryan young had an AVERAGE of 31.78. you have no brain if you think this 267 makes him superior to (a) tendulker (B) taylor or (c) McCullum. both average far better than young. why would u make this point yet again when the first time you wrote it everyone bagged you for your large error in jugdement and players ability. Bertram i think you are bryan young.....so bryan give it up,ur a hasbeen

nz have no chance in the tests but lets enjoy some quality opposition and get behind them when they have good sessions

I totally agree with Bertram. I'm also a big fan of Skippy; he's scored two double hundreds in tests! That's more than Grant Bradburn, Blair Pocock, Jamie How, Michael Papps, and Peter Ingram combined. Which is surely worth something?

At #2

You gotta stop comparing Bryan Young solely on 1 innings dude. Its takes a whole career to to earn a status of a great player not just your best innings you had.

@ Bertram - you have no idea what you are talking about. First of all, Jonathan Millmow writes this stuff, the clue was his name at the top of the page. As for Sinclair being New Zealand's only world class batsman, you really have no clue what you are talking about. High scores do not make batsmen great. Jason Gillespie's highest score is better than Steve Waugh's, but I know who i'd have batting for my life. McCullum is not world class, but Taylor could be. That said, they are the best we have, especially with Ryder out, so need to step up and fight above their weight if we are going to compete with Australia. Sinclair has so many technical weaknesses, the Australians didn't know when to laugh or celebrate when he was named in the test squad. Sadly he was joined by CD team-mate Peter Ingram who has all the same issues. If they both play, McCullum and Tayor will have even more work to do as the Australian quicks will tear them apart. Damn you're a hard team to support New Zealand, but I'll still be there.

When are they going to realise that Jeetan Patel is complete rubbish at International level! He doesnt even take many wickets at domestic level.

Bertram - is Bryan Young your secret love-child??

It's just not a team one can feel confident about. Watling is new but needs to get a decent score under his belt, McIntosh is less than average, Ingram hasn't cut it so far (due to poor technique we're told), Guptil is inconsistent, Sinclair's a has-been (Wiliamson would have been a better investment), Arnel is an unknown at international level.

Taylor, McCullum & Vettori have an awful lot riding on their shoulders.

Here's an interesting thought. Why don't the selectors have another look at Michael Papps? He can cut it at domestic level and has done so consistently over a long period of time. If the current crop of openers can't perform at NZ domestic level how are they expected to at international level??

If all were fit and healthy based on currently available players here's my pick for the test team: Papps, Watling, Guptill, Taylor, Ryder, Williamson, McCullum, Vettori, Tuffey, Southee, Martin.

Pity O'Brien & Bond aren't available....

Jonathan Millmow writes this stuff. It says so at the top of the article.

Just watch Sinclair smash the Aussies all over the park...lol

Bertram, everyone is on to you now, you once were funny, getting a bit tiresome seeing you on every cricket page as soon as the peice is up. hmmmm reminds me of JD and any article with stephen donald. Fairfax media at its best again??? nice one stuff...

With regards to selections, HWSNBN is past his date, I dont understand this at all, from that squad the only plausable team I can see is.

McIntosh, Watling, Sinclair, Taylor, Guptill, Vettori, McCullum, Arnel, Tuffey, Southee, Martin

You do NOT want to bowl Patel against the Aussies, anywhere...

Bertram are you sure your name isn't really Bryan? You seem to have an unhealthy devotion to one B.A Young. This is the second time I've spotted you giving his 267* huge props.

Are you aware that both McCullum's and Taylor's averages are superior to Young's? Young clocked in at 31.78. Taylor averages 42.31 and McCullum 34.33. But you seem to be a man who values scoring a double higher than general talent and performance. That would explain your love of Skippy!

I also don't really see the point of dissing current blackcaps to boost Young. Young was a journeyman, give Taylor some time(and patience) and he will be world class.