Munro’s lack of runs a major concern
Colin Munro’s lack of production opening in ODIs is a growing concern for the Black Caps 15 months out from the Cricket World Cup.
Munro, who announced on Friday he was ditching red-ball cricket to concentrate on the white-ball forms, had a series to forget as England thumped New Zealand by seven wickets in Christchurch on Saturday to capture the silverware 3-2.
The hard-hitting Aucklander has proven a success opening at international level in Twenty20s, but there are question marks about his ability to balance the tempo of an ODI innings and poor decision-making.
Since moving to the opening role against India in October, Munro’s numbers are far from flash, averaging 26.56 from 16 matches with three half-centuries and a highest score of 75.
He and Martin Guptill were unable to give New Zealand any foundation to work with against England with their highest opening
stand in the series a meagre 12 and their longest partnership lasting 2.1 overs.
New Zealand have a sevenmonth ODI hiatus until facing Pakistan in five away matches in November. After that, they’ll have a further 11 ODIs next home summer against Sri Lanka (3), India (5) and Bangladesh (3) before the 2019 World Cup in England, beginning in late May.
Coach Mike Hesson has plenty of time to stew over the makeup of the ODI squad and might be forced to reconsider Central Stags opener George Worker, who impressed with 57 and 58 against the West Indies in December.
Hesson said Munro firmly remained part of their ODI plans, but needed to be smarter about the way he approached an innings.
‘‘It was pretty fair our top order hasn’t set the platform. I think that’s pretty clear. Colin is a very destructive player. Finding the tempo in one-day cricket is still a work on for him, but we still see him as a very good prospect.’’
New Zealand’s inconsistency with the bat was a worry with the side guilty of losing too many early wickets, which left the middle order with too much to do.
In the heavy Christchurch and Mount Maunganui losses, it looked like they might struggle to reach
150, but were rescued by their middle to lower order.
‘‘Certainly as a batting unit we didn’t really fire in terms of the balance we wanted to put out there. We didn’t allow ourselves to use the power we have at the back end, so that’s something we’re going to have to look at.’’
New Zealand finished with a
10-win three-loss ODI record for the home summer after winning eight straight matches against the woeful West Indies and Champions Trophy champions Pakistan, who were well below their best.
Their patchy play with bat and ball against England, the form ODI side in world cricket, and the comprehensive nature of the defeat in the series decider in Christchurch leaves the Black Caps with more questions than answers.
Mitchell Santner, who had been much maligned in some quarters, was a revelation with the bat.
He was New Zealand’s second leading run-scorer (216) outside the outstanding Ross Taylor, hitting 45 not out, 63 not out, 41 and 67, and frequently got them out of difficulty.
Tom Latham has locked down his spot long-term with contributions of 71 and 79, combined with matchwinning partnerships with Taylor.