Somerville not picked despite debut heroics
AUCKLAND: Seven wickets on his test debut was not enough for Will Somerville to keep his place in the Black Caps squad.
Ajaz Patel has been preferred in the Black Caps’ squad to take on Sri Lanka in two tests, starting at the Basin Reserve on Saturday.
With only one spinner set to play in the home tests, the Black Caps selectors opted to retain Patel ahead of Somerville.
Both had performed well in the series victory over Pakistan.
Patel is the specialist spinner in the squad of 13.
Somerville and Ish Sodhi have been released to play in the fourth round of the Plunket Shield. So, too, has Tom Blundell, who drops out from the victorious United Arab Emirates touring party, with Will Young taking his place.
Colin de Grandhomme retains his place in the squad, despite the allrounder averaging just 10.5 in six innings with the bat in the UAE. However, a handy cameo in the third test, a lack of likeforlike replacements, and contributions with the ball (five wickets at 25.6), were enough for the 32yearold to keep his spot.
Patel and Somerville both had a strong case for retention as well, having ripped through Pakistan in the fourth innings of the third test with three for 42 and three for 52 respectively.
Somerville also claimed four firstinnings wickets to finish with match figures of seven for 127 on debut.
However, it behooves the Black Caps to play on green wickets for the coming series, with their stellar seam attack expected to be far superior to Sri Lanka’s seamers.
Additionally, the last time New Zealand used two recognised spinners in Wellington was in 2000 against Zimbabwe, when Brooke Walker and Paul Wiseman made the starting XI. The pair bowled a total of 76 wicketless overs in Zimbabwe’s first innings — another pointer as to why only Patel or Somerville was ever going to be selected at the Basin.
Selector Gavin Larsen said Patel got the nod based on his proven performances in New Zealand conditions.
‘‘Ajaz certainly grabbed his opportunity on the UAE tour.
‘‘Will Somerville was an obvious standout on debut in the Abu Dhabi decider and it’s great to know we’ve got quality spin bowlers who can create competition for places.’’
Central Districts batsman Young has earned his maiden international callup as batting cover, following strong form on the domestic scene and for New Zealand A.
The 26yearold averages 41.38 in firstclass cricket, and has notched three centuries for New Zealand A on recent tours, including 134 against India A in a fourday clash, and on Sunday scored 102 in a onedayer, also against India A.
‘‘It’s an exciting time for Will Young who has been pushing for higher honours for a while now. He scored hundreds against Pakistan A and India A in recent months and fully deserves his callup,’’ Larsen said.
‘‘The first international of the home summer is always an exciting time and the revamped Basin Reserve should be a fitting setting to launch the Sri Lankan tour.’’ — NZME