Allrounders, spinners under fire
The allrounder and spin bowling stocks remain under the microscope as New Zealand switch to their favourite cricketing format, with history and experience leaving them confident of turning the tables on Pakistan.
The sound of screeching tyres was nearly audible as the team bus departed Dubai International Cricket Stadium after the Black Caps lost 8-23 in a 47-run defeat in the third Twenty20 international yesterday. All out for 119 in 16.5 overs ended the series with a whimper rather than a flourish.
New Zealand don’t play another T20 until January 11 against Sri Lanka, a merciful hiatus after nine losses from their last 10 in the shortest format. Five of those defeats were to world No 1 Pakistan, a confident, clever unit with few stars who completed a 6-0 run against Australia and New Zealand.
Now the World Cup countdown begins with three oneday internationals starting in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (NZT), the first of 14 for New Zealand until mid-february when coach Gary Stead will have 15 cup names pencilled in.
World No 4-ranked ODI bowler
Trent Boult (paternity leave) and wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham are two significant arrivals but the spotlight will shine on the likes of Colin de Grandhomme and Ish Sodhi after mixed T20 series.
Allrounder and spin berths in the cup squad remain open, along with at least one fast bowling spot.
De Grandhomme remains the first choice but the power hitter scored 16 runs in three T20 innings in the top four. Twice he was run out which provides an excuse but Stead will want to see more from his key finisher.
With the ball de Grandhomme was good in game two but expensive in game three as the Black Caps conceded 20 more than they should have (166-3) on a lowscoring ground. De Grandhomme took 3-86 off 11 overs, an economy rate of 7.81 which was tidy enough. Still, Stead wants his allrounders to be more effective with the ball, and de Grandhomme and opener Colin Munro both suffered late in game three.
Corey Anderson sat out game three with a sore heel and is yet to be seen at the bowling crease for the Black Caps on this tour.
Stead confirms the three remaining names in his ODI squad today and whether Anderson makes the cut will be interesting.
So too legspinner Todd Astle who faces a fitness test on a knee injury suffered while playing for New Zealand A.
Sodhi and Astle look to be in a race for one World Cup spot and if the latter is ruled out of the ODIS Ajaz Patel may get another chance and the heat will go on Sodhi to step up.
Former world T20 No 1 bowler Sodhi was good in game one then struggled with his lengths and was attacked by Mohammad Hafeez, ending with 1-85 at an economy rate of 8.5.
In contrast the Pakistan spinners Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan combined to tear through the Black Caps middle order after Kane Williamson’s masterful 60 off 38 balls. Fringe men Mark Chapman and Tim Seifert were among the victims as New Zealand lost five wickets in 12 balls.
In ODI cricket New Zealand are ranked third and Pakistan fifth. In their last 50-over contests the Black Caps won 5-0 at home in January.