Munro set to benefit from Guptill injury
morning, team officials said, but with little riding on the match with India 3-1 up it would be foolish to risk one of their key batsmen.
The injury, suspected of being a pinched nerve, wasn’t seen as serious and Guptill will likely rest up for Wednesday’s first Twenty20 international.
It all means a lucky break for Munro who was released to play the T20 Super Smash for the Aces against the Knights. He was scheduled to rejoin the squad in Wellington this morning and instead of ferrying drinks will now don the black kit again after a one-match hiatus.
Munro looks assured of a World Cup spot, perhaps now as batting backup, but gets a chance to impress and rebuild his confidence, and ease any worry lines for coach Gary Stead. Skittling India for 92 in Hamilton and winning by eight wickets helped Stead’s mood, too.
The Guptill injury scare showed the risk New Zealand will take if they select just six specialist batsmen in their cup 15 in the UK, with Nicholls a potential backup wicketkeeper as Stead has suggested. Central Stags batsman Will Young, the obvious next cab off the rank, still awaits his call.
One who did get a call from the Black Caps wilderness, Jimmy Neesham, had a spring in his step as he returned ‘home’ to Wellington for a fifth ODI since being recalled.
The rejuvenated allrounder looks a likely World Cup selection after some stellar form with bat and ball against Sri Lanka, not that he’s clutching at his passport just yet.
‘‘It’s a bit like groundhog day from four years ago with that World Cup race. Having that experience of desperately wanting to make a team for a big tournament and missing out, it puts me in good stead for this time around. I know what not to do and what not to focus on,’’ Neesham said.
The 28-year-old noted his recall in late December was exactly a year since he was dropped from Otago’s team, returned home to Auckland and took a break from cricket.
He was welcomed into the Firebirds dressing room and his form demanded an international recall.