How they fared: Black Caps T20 player ratings
Black Caps coach Gary Stead believes they might have found another batsman in the class of Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson in Devon Conway.
He made the comparison as he signed off on a successful home summer at Eden Park after his side’s win in the third T20 against Bangladesh two nights ago and turned his focus to the World Test Championship final in England at the end of June.
Whether Stead can find a place for Conway in the XI for that match against India is looming as the biggest question of the winter, after the batsman’s string of matchwinning performances in Twenty20 and one-day internationals.
His comments suggest the 29-year-old has left a strong impression, but it remains to be seen whether he has moved up the test pecking order, having been the second backup batsman in the series wins over the West Indies and Pakistan during the summer just gone.
‘‘I knew he was a good player,’’ Stead said, when asked what he’d expected of Conway, who became available for international selection last August, three years after he arrived in Wellington from South Africa.
‘‘I guess at times you can be pleasantly surprised around how people make that adjustment.
‘‘Devon looks like he’s got all the skills of being an amazing player and I think we’re really fortunate, at the moment, that we’ve had people in our squad like your Ross Taylors and your Kane Williamsons, then you see someone like Devon Conway come along, and you think this is another guy that could also be in that class.’’
There is some doubt whether Conway will be able to leave New Zealand to play in England – where the Black Caps first have two tests against their hosts – and return, as he is yet to become a permanent resident, and only citizens and permanent residents are allowed to enter the country while Covid-19 border restrictions are in place.
Stead said resolving that issue was ‘‘still in the pipeline,’’ but Conway was ‘‘hopeful everything will be in place before that’’.
A 20-strong squad for the twomatch series against England will be named next Thursday, with Stead and fellow selector Gavin Larsen accounting for the need to have extra players on hand as cover and for an internal warmup match and the fact that some could be arriving late from the Indian Premier League.
‘‘The way we’ve done it is we’ve gone through and selected what we
Thirteen completed matches, 10 wins, four series victories. A year on from the 5-0 humiliation at home against India, this was a roaring success and a step forward for the Black Caps in Twenty20 international cricket.
As 10 of them jet off to the Indian Premier League, we rate the 23 players used this season and assess their chances of T20 World Cup selection for India in October.
MARTIN GUPTILL
13 innings, 403 runs at 31, strike rate 153, highest score 97 Rating: 8.5
Went from bereft to the Guptill of old with one breakout innings in Dunedin. The numbers, and Guptill’s relaxed demeanour, speak for themselves, and his rollicking show with Finn Allen at Eden Park gave a hint of what the duo can offer later this year.
T20 World Cup: In.
TIM SEIFERT
9 innings, 238 runs at 29.75, SR 122, HS 84no
Rating: 4
Started well but couldn’t buy a run against Australia, as Devon Conway emerged as a legitimate wicketkeeping option in the top XI. Off to train with Brendon McCullum at the IPL which can’t be a bad thing, and needs to rediscover that swagger he began the season with.
T20 World Cup: Likely squad member but no longer guaranteed in the XI. FINN ALLEN
3 innings, 88 runs at 29.33, SR 220, HS 71
Rating: 7.5
The Auckland rain clearing was the best thing to happen for Allen whose hand speed and rifle-shot ball striking was a treat. To do it at international level after a first-baller was a relief. Now gets to train with Virat Kohli in the IPL to hone his craft in Indian conditions. T20 World Cup: In.
WILL YOUNG
2 innings, 67 runs at 33.5, SR 143, HS 53
Rating: 7
A confident, assured debut in Hamilton
Bangladesh 76 all out
Series:
think our XI is likely to be, or our 12 or 13, depending on conditions, and then tried to look at making sure we’ve got cover for each of those spots as well,’’ Stead said.
‘‘There will still be people who will be disappointed and feel unlucky to have missed the squad and showed the hitting power we saw in Super Smash. Like Conway has an allround game for all three formats.
T20 World Cup: Borderline, but could sneak in as a backup batsman.
KANE WILLIAMSON
7 innings, 140 runs at 23.33, SR 124, HS 57no Rating: 6 Quiet by his standards before it was revealed he was struggling with an elbow injury. His brilliant 57 not out in Dunedin was overshadowed by Guptill’s onslaught. Undisputed as skipper and No 3. T20 World Cup: In. DEVON CONWAY 11 innings, 473 runs at 59.12, SR 151, HS 99no
Rating: 9.5
Simply mind-boggling numbers with the bat, as he’s produced for several seasons in Wellington. Glovework was also slick, and should get first crack in the subcontinent later in the year. Ideally he’d bat as high as possible, but No 4 looks his spot which is not ideal but little seems to faze him. T20 World Cup: In. GLENN PHILLIPS 12 innings, 366 runs at 40.66, SR 185, HS 108; 7.3 overs, 2 wickets at 28.5, economy rate 7.6, best bowling 1-11
Rating: 9
Brought energy, hitting power, fielding brilliance and very handy offspin in an excellent season. Thankfully his kneecap stayed in after some horrors against West Indies, and confirmed himself as a must-select in the top XI. T20 World Cup: In.
MARK CHAPMAN
4 innings, 60 runs at 20, SR 150, HS 34; 3 overs, 1-18
Rating: 6.5
A bit-part player but showed he can hit hard and offer some accurate left-arm spin in the right conditions. Good fielder too, a valuable squad member: T20 World Cup: Likely.
JIMMY NEESHAM
7 innings, 139 runs at 34.75, SR 185, HS 48no; 14.3 overs, 5 wickets at 34, ER 11.7, BB 2-10
Rating: 7
Compelling, matchwinning all-round performance in Dunedin before
fter the two tests against England, at Lord’s starting on June 2, and Edgbaston starting on June 10, the squad will be cut to 15 for the World Test Championship final against India, which starts on June 18 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. copping some punishment from Glenn Maxwell in Wellington. Still in the top XI as the allrounder, and still seeking consistency with the ball in those high octane death overs.
T20 World Cup: In
DARYL MITCHELL
2 innings, 45 runs at 45, SR 205, HS 34no; 2 overs, 0-21
Rating: 6.5
Continued his all-round form for Canterbury with some nice cameos in black, although his bowling was often overlooked which was odd. Can do a job with the ball.
T20 World Cup: Likely, especially if they take a 20-man squad. MITCHELL SANTNER
25.3 overs, 8 wickets at 23.87, ER 7.5, BB 4-31; 5 innings, 53 runs at 26.5, SR 143, HS 31no
Rating: 8
Was badly missed against Australia when unwell and showed his class on return. One of New Zealand’s MVPs heading to India and his combination with Ish Sodhi is key to their hopes. T20 World Cup: In.
ISH SODHI
38 overs, 20 wickets at 15.45, ER 8.1, BB 4-28
Rating: 8.5
Rediscovered his confidence and wicket-taking knack, even getting lucky with a couple of full tosses in Wellington. A vital member of the
Stead had positive updates on the injury status of captain Williamson, who hasn’t played since the final T20 against Australia on March 7 while managing an elbow issue, and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme, who underwent ankle surgery last month.
‘‘Kane headed off [on Thursday] to the IPL,’’ Stead said.
‘‘He’s started hitting balls again, he’s had two or three hits, and I know felt a lot better from having a hit [on Wednesday] as well.
‘‘It just takes a little bit of time, I think, to get back into the groove of things.
‘‘We don’t know for sure, but we expect that he’s going to be in much squad, as he was in India in 2016, and will be kept honest by Todd Astle. World Cup: In.
KYLE JAMIESON
28.4 overs, 4 wickets at 70.25, ER 9.8, BB 2-15
Rating: 3
Has all the attributes for a top T20 bowler but still trying to find the right formula. A lack of variation was exposed by Australia’s hitters, and he heads to a big money IPL deal to develop his craft.
T20 World Cup: Likely, but will need to perform in the subcontinent.
TIM SOUTHEE
44 overs, 21 wickets at 16.71, ER 8, BB 4-21
Rating: 8.5
From last summer’s super over horrors to a calm, assured finish as skipper, Southee transferred his outstanding test form to the shortest format. With the ball swinging is still a menace and has enough tricks to be solid in latter overs too.
T20 World Cup: In.
LOCKIE FERGUSON
15 overs, 10 wickets at 9.4, ER 6.3, BB 5-21
Rating: 8.5
Downright frightening in his five-wicket bag against West Indies, and made a speedy comeback from the dreaded spinal stress fracture. Fingers crossed no injury setbacks in the IPL, then England with Yorkshire, and Ferguson will be one of New Zealand’s key men in India.
T20 World Cup: In.
TRENT BOULT
27 overs, 7 wickets at 31.42, ER 8.1, BB 2-22
Rating: 6.5
Bowled better than his figures suggested, coming off a starring role for IPL champions Mumbai late last year. Goes well in India and remains a difficult man to drop from the Black Caps’ top XI.
T20 World Cup: In.
ADAM MILNE
5 overs, 3 wickets at 19.33, ER 11.6, BB 2-34
Rating: 6.5
Another to make a compelling comeback, from ankle surgery, and threatened 150kmh in Napier. Showed better shape than what he was before he had the rest and the tidy up around his elbow.’’
As for de Grandhomme, who didn’t play for the Black Caps all summer?
‘‘I know he feels his range of movement is much better through his ankle and at the moment he’s slightly ahead of time, which is great,’’ Stead said.
‘‘It’s going to still be a race against time for Colin to be right, but hopefully if he can get himself ahead, and get bowling again, then we’re hopeful that he’ll still play a part in that in the England series and the World Test Championship final.’’ his class in Australia’s Big Bash and, fully fit, can be a key man in India and a potential lethal combination with Ferguson on the right day.
T20 World Cup: In.
SCOTT KUGGELEIJN
11 overs, 5 wickets at 20, ER 9.1, BB 3-27
Rating: 7
Played well before Christmas when required and has the X-factor pace of Ferguson and Milne, but when they’re fit he slips down the pecking order. T20 World Cup: Unlikely.
HAMISH BENNETT
9.5 overs, 3 wickets at 33.66, ER 10.3, BB 2-31
Rating: 5
Minimal chances and modest figures, but remains a highly respected T20 bowler and leader who the selectors rate. Still has something to offer, although the queue is crowded.
T20 World Cup: Likely.
One match only (no rating):
TODD ASTLE
2 overs, 4 wickets at 3.25, ER 6.5, BB 4-13
Badly needed those two overs at Eden Park just to remind the hierarchy what he can do. Seized his chance.
T20 World Cup: In, as third spinner. JACOB DUFFY
4 overs, 4 wickets at 8.25, ER 8.25, BB 4-33
Dream debut way back in December when frontliners were out, and looked the part.
T20 World Cup: Only if injuries strike. BLAIR TICKNER
4 overs, 1 wicket at 35, ER 8.75, BB 1-35
A very good T20 bowler but still well down the Black Caps queue when everyone is fit.
T20 World Cup: Unlikely.
Also:
ROSS TAYLOR (2 innings, 0 runs off 4 balls)
Fair point Taylor made when observing he faced just four balls before being dropped, after being named T20 player of 2019-20. Still, Conway and Phillips proved inspired selections and with Chapman offering a bowling option, Taylor will struggle to force his way back into the reckoning.
T20 World Cup: Unlikely.
Halliday was a rare shining light against England, but this early in her promising international career, it’s worth keeping her in the middle order, especially against Australia’s new ball bowlers.
I’d at least move her up to No 6 and maybe higher, depending on who ends up being available to play. Katey Martin last passed 50 in an ODI in March, 2017, and before that in November, 2016, so a swap there could be on the cards at the very least.
BE: AV: What is the biggest improvement the White Ferns need to make to close the gap on Australia?
IA:
Bowling (with fielding a close second). Australia smashed 325-5 in the last ODI between the sides in Brisbane after romping to wins with overs and wickets to spare in their two previous chases.
New Zealand bowled better lines in the two completed T20 games this week, but can they maintain that for 50 overs?
Making an impact in the opening 15 overs of each innings. To perform strongly against Australia, the White Ferns will need to be at their absolute best.
To do that they’ll need to nab early breakthroughs with the ball to put Australia’s formidable top order under pressure.
Likewise with the bat, they must
BE: