Vie for final World Cup spots
Matt Henry, too, was mixed against Sri Lanka after an idle two months and a better gauge of his form will come against India with more overs under his belt.
For all that it’s difficult not to see a pace quartet of Southee, Henry, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson, the latter with the pace point of difference and showing his class in Nelson. A rapid return to fitness by Milne would complicate the pace equation and apply pressure to Southee or Henry.
Then there’s spin. Mitchell Santner, back and raring to go after knee surgery, is a certainty. Sodhi got the jump on Astle against Sri Lanka, impressing Stead, and looks close to having his name inked in.
Then there’s the question raised by former coach Mike Hesson on the Sky commentary: could Sodhi and Astle both make
At a glance
Possible New Zealand World Cup squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Tim Seifert, Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
On the cusp: BJ Watling, Todd Astle, Doug Bracewell.
Time running out: Adam Milne, Corey Anderson.
the trip along with Santner, given two spinners in the XI seems the done thing in England now?
That would mean either de Grandhomme or Neesham missing out, so that option is less likely, but still up for discussion. Astle needs to return soon in any case and show he’s back to his best, but he has a fan in Stead and offers batting depth too.
Tom Latham is the top wicketkeeper and will bat five, which leaves his backup as the toughest decision. It looks a 50-50 race between Seifert, the power hitter still not the finished article with the gloves, against Watling, the test keeper who will add experience as a trusted sidekick of captain Kane Williamson and can cover batting spots one to six.
Seifert may get more chances against India to sway the selectors. His dynamic hitting is handy where 300-plus totals should be the norm, but there are still blemishes with the gloves. Watling’s batting strike rate is the worry but he’s a dependable backup.
Henry Nicholls won’t be wicketkeeping cover but will be one of six batsmen, all straightforward picks. Martin Guptill and Colin Munro are set as the opening pair, leaving George Worker, Will Young and Hamish Rutherford as top order options if injuries strike.