Fan arrested, banned for abuse
One returnee could make a difference, the Firebirds’ matchwinning allrounder Jimmy Neesham who adds swagger and hitting power at No 6. He should be there for Australia.
Bruce and Daryl Mitchell have barely had a chance; Bruce a potential batting backup who hasn’t yet fired at international level and Mitchell a solid allrounder but likely competing with Neesham for one spot.
Otherwise, Auckland pair Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman look the next best in-form contenders. Phillips probably needs a Seifert injury to get in, and Chapman is worth a try, scoring runs in all formats and offering handy leftarm spin too.
One other name: Devon Conway. The South African who becomes eligible in September and scores runs for fun and keeps wicket is a must-include in the cup squad which will make the logjam even tighter in the top-five. WINNERS AND LOSERS Veteran seamer Hamish Bennett effectively booked his T20 World Cup berth in a four or five-strong pace lineup. A clever T20 bowler, he showed all his tricks at Bay Oval to haul it back and is probably now the best death or Super Over option, potentially with Neesham.
On the flipside, Tim Southee’s confidence is low after his Super Over maulings. With Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson back and must-selects, Southee’s place in the XI will also be under scrutiny as it was at the 50-over World Cup, even though his squad spot looks assured.
Colin de Grandhomme at No 4 helped Taylor chase down targets in Sri Lanka but looked a shadow of that destructive player against India. He’s probably still in the cup squad but getting his form and confidence back is one of the top priorities.
Bruce, Mitchell and Blair Tickner all face a battle to make the final World Cup 15 unless they can break back into the XI and produce compelling performances, while Scott Kuggeleijn and the returning Doug Bracewell may enter a race for the final squad berth.
New Zealand Cricket has banned a Bay Oval spectator for the rest of the home season after he was evicted, then returned to unleash a tirade of abuse at a commentator during Sunday night’s final
Twenty20 international. A 24-year-old man was arrested for trespass about
10.20pm after he and another man were escorted out by security when they took exception to an Indian commentator declining a request to sign an autograph. The commentator’s identity was not revealed.
One of the men somehow made his way back into Bay Oval and continued the tirade which led to police intervening. understands it was not racist abuse, and the arrested man was also of Indian descent.
Last month an Auckland man was banned by NZC from attending matches for two years for directing a racist insult at
England fast bowler Jofra Archer during the Mount Maunganui test in November.
Sunday’s incident was described as unsavoury, the abuse loud and foul-mouthed.
NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock said the man would be banned from New Zealand grounds for the rest of the home season. NZC is weighing up any further action, but the fact it was not racist abuse puts in a less serious category than the Archer incident.
‘‘At the moment, as far as his future entry to arenas for the rest of the home international summer, any booking he has made has been blocked while we’re assessing what went on and deciding what should happen,’’ Boock said.
A police spokesperson said the 24-year-old arrested man was given a pre-charge warning.
Boock said 12 fans were evicted from Bay Oval for unruly behaviour – either offensive language or disruption to other spectators. Two were arrested for regaining entry.
A crowd of 6250 watched India sweep the Black Caps 5-0 in the
Twenty20 series after winning Sunday’s game five by seven runs.
The crowd was described by those at the ground as high spirited and animated but not a ‘‘drunk’’ crowd.
Friday’s fourth game at Wellington’s Sky Stadium attracted
13,295 and was marred by two instances of pitch invasions which halted play. The first saw a man enter the playing arena and casually stroll towards the pitch then begin to run, before he was tackled by security staff who appeared slow to react.
A plethora of Indian fans at each ground have added hugely to the spectacle and atmosphere of the series.
Boock said NZC was happy with the crowds for the T20 series which – as they did a year ago – started at the late hour of 8pm. The India tour continues with the first of three ODIs in Hamilton, starting at 3pm tomorrow.