They rated against India
needs to show he can ice a run chase with his hitting power.
Mitchell Santner (4 matches, 39 runs at 13, SR 58, HS 22; 20 overs, 1 wicket at 95, ER 4.75)
Rating: 5
Still on the long road back from knee surgery and it shows; not outstanding but not terrible either. Important cog in New Zealand’s cup plans and could well play every match. Batting remains a work-on and if he’s at seven needs to lift.
Doug Bracewell (3 matches, 79 runs at 26.33, SR 100, HS 57; 23 overs, 1 wicket at 131, ER 5.69)
Rating: 6 Unspectacular figures but did enough to be seriously in the cup squad conversation.
Showed he can blast away with the bat at No 8 and adds value if they play six batsmen, as someone they can depend on for 10 overs. Not a wicket-taker but can be useful on a flat surface and at the death.
Todd Astle (2 matches, 7 overs, 1 wicket at 44, ER 6.28)
Too small a sample size to get a proper read and was thrown in the deep end with a death over in Wellington against Hardik Pandya. Another returning from injury and offers enough allround to be a serious cup contender.
Ish Sodhi (2 matches, 17 overs, 0-96, ER 5.64) Rating: 3
After some excellent spells against Sri Lanka his stocks took a hit with two wicketless matches while India’s spinners excelled. Not as consistent as everyone would like this close to a World Cup. Has matchwinning qualities which will take him a long way but his spot may depend on whether they decide to take two or three spinners.
Matt Henry (2 matches, 18 overs, 4 wickets at 16.25, ER 3.61)
Rating: 7 Desperately needed a spell like Wellington and delivered in dream fast bowling conditions. Just what Gary Stead wanted to see and put himself right back in the cup frame in the UK where he’s excelled. Still remains a question over his bowling with the older ball and in a logjam of versatile contenders is the selection head-scratcher.
Lockie Ferguson (3 matches, 28 overs, 3 wickets at 59.67, ER 6.39)
Rating: 4
A few notches down on his outstanding work against Pakistan but Ferguson remains a cup lock-in. Tasked with blasting India’s batsmen out with minimal runs to bowl at, it was a tough ask and can be forgiven. Extra pace is the point of difference they want, especially in the middle stages on a flat one.
Tim Southee (1 match, 6.5 overs, 0-36, ER 5.26)
Hard to rate on one brief spell and his continued omission suggests they’ve seen enough and the senior man is World Cup-bound. Or it’s bad news. Henry’s Wellington spell complicates things and hard to see him and Southee both making the 15. The latter’s recent ODI struggles don’t help his cause but still difficult to imagine him missing the cut.
Trent Boult (5 matches, 45.5 overs, 12 wickets at 15, ER 3.92)
Rating: 9
The most heartening image of the series, watching the spearhead charge in and swing the ball at near 145kmh. Looks in the form that spurred New Zealand to the 2015 final and with questions over parts of the pace attack is a crucial man to lead the way. Along with Williamson and Taylor the injury they can least afford in coming months.