Munro likely ODI opener
Colin Munro is the latest power hitter set for elevation to open the batting for New Zealand in one-day cricket internationals, in next month’s series in India.
Chief selector and coach Mike Hesson confirmed Munro was at the head of the queue to partner Martin Guptill at the top in three ODIS against the world’s topranked team, starting in Mumbai on October 22.
It continues the Black Caps’ philosophy of aggressive intent at the top, in the mould of Brendon Mccullum and, more recently, Luke Ronchi at the Champions Trophy before his international retirement.
‘‘Colin’s a very destructive player and very much plays on instinct. His ability to take pressure off Martin at the top of the innings and create a bit of a twopronged attack like we had with Brendon [Mccullum] and Martin is something we’re keen to explore,’’ Hesson said.
Hesson named an initial ODI squad of nine yesterday - with batsman Neil Broom and allrounder Jimmy Neesham the notable omissions - and will add six more from the New Zealand A squad currently in India.
Munro and George Worker will open for NZA in the five one-day matches against India A, starting on October 6, to push their claims.
The left-handed Munro, 30, has been effective at No 3 in Twenty20 cricket but in 20 ODI innings has batted no higher than four. He averages 25 at a strike rate of 99 and missed out on the Champions Trophy squad after being dropped for the home series against South Africa.
‘‘We find with Colin that we try to remove having to think too much about the state of the game. When you bat at five and six you’ve got to adjust and we think Colin is better going out and playing. He can play the swinging ball and is certainly skilful enough to push his case there,’’ Hesson said.
If Munro can be effective with his medium pace as a sixth bowler, then that leaves spots for another batsman and wicketkeeper at five and six in the ODI side.
Broom paid the price for New Zealand’s middle order woes at the Champions Trophy in June when they exited early after defeats to England and Bangladesh. He needs to hone his game as a finisher, Hesson said, as Henry Nicholls and Tom Bruce push their claims in India.
‘‘You need someone who is able to direct you towards a win in terms of owning the last 20 overs. The guy at five has got to be really flexible; there are times you come in at 20-3 or 200-3 and you’ve got to have a well rounded game. There are times when it requires power and times when it requires a bit of graft.’’
Tom Latham was still an ODI wicketkeeping option who could bat at five or six, Hesson said. Three gloveman on the NZA trip Tom Blundell, Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips - are on trial to join Latham in the ODI squad and claim the T20 job as their own.
‘‘Opening the batting and keeping in India would be too much of an ask. When Tom kept for us, his glovework was of a good standard, certainly the equal if not slightly better than what we have coming through.
‘‘All three of them are talented but very much a work in progress when it comes to keeping.’’
Neesham has been told to return to domestic cricket and dominate with bat and ball.