Healthy selection headache
A formidable Black Caps side is one where competition for places is at its most fierce.
Chief selector Gavin Larsen and coach Mike Hesson face some tricky one-day selection decisions ahead of Pakistan’s looming arrival after several new and returning figures stepped up against the West Indies.
New Zealand clinched the ODI series on Saturday with a match to play after thrashing the tourists by 204 runs in Christchurch, but tougher battles lie ahead against Pakistan, then England. The fivematch Pakistan ODI series begins at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on January 6.
Few Black Caps failed to enhance their reputation against the West Indies, leaving Larsen and Hesson with some healthy headaches around the opening batting berths and seamer spots.
Hesson has been incredibly loyal to his players in the past and changes will be minimum.
Martin Guptill’s return from a left hamstring issue creates a three into two doesn’t go situation at the top of the order. George Worker impressed in the opening two ODIs, hitting 57 and 58, but would have been annoyed he couldn’t go on and make it a big one.
He was set at the crease in Saturday’s second match, but picked out Rovman Powell with a pull shot to fine leg.
Colin Munro was used as an opener during October’s tour of India and notched scores of 49, 30 and 21 against the West Indies. While he couldn’t hit a half century, Munro’s aggressive approach and ability to get the side off to a fast start is attractive. He is all but certain to open with Guptill against Pakistan.
Skipper Kane Williamson will return for the Pakistan matches after being rested for the final two ODIs against the West Indies and will slot into his customary No3 role.
Arguably the toughest conundrum is in the fast bowling stocks, where Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson and the recalled Doug Bracewell all took their chances. Quick Adam Milne was forced out of the squad with a left foot injury and is set to be sidelined for twofour weeks.
They are effectively in a threeway head-to-head battle for the third seamers role in the firstchoice ODI XI, alongside the experienced new ball combination of Trent Boult, who snaffled a career-best 7-34 in the second ODI, and Tim Southee.
Southee was given a breather for the final two ODI matches, but will captain New Zealand’s Twenty20 side against the Windies at Nelson’s Saxton Oval on Friday.
Canterbury legspinner Todd Astle, who has been among the most effective white ball bowlers in domestic cricket in recent seasons, seized his opportunity.
Astle starred in the opening ODI with 3-33 from 10 overs on debut, then showcased his ability with the bat on Saturday. He chipped in with a vital 49, while Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
sharing in a 130-run sixth wicket stand with Canterbury team-mate Henry Nicholls.
Left-arm tweaker Mitchell Santner remains the No1 spin option in 50-over cricket, but Astle is closing the gap. Playing two frontline spinners in home conditions is rare, but Astle looks to have done enough to keep his place in the squad.
Another player to increase his value in the series was Nicholls, batting in the newfound No6 spot.
Nicholls was under pressure for his position in the ODI squad, but produced a pivotal 83 not out from 62 balls in the second match, which included seven fours and two sixes.
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme didn’t feature against the Windies, returning to Zimbabwe after the death of his father. He is understood to still be in Zimbabwe, but should be back for the Pakistan 50-over matches.
For the latest from yesterday’s rain-affected third one-day international go to stuff.co.nz