Win adds spice to selections
Job done, comfortably enough, for New Zealand’s cricketers in Dublin. Now for the selection head-scratchers.
Thanks to Hamish Bennett’s 3-31 on return from a three-year absence, and man of the match Jimmy Neesham’s rapid 52 from 48 balls, the Black Caps beat Bangladesh by four wickets at Clontarf Cricket Club to remain unbeaten in the oneday international tri-series.
Next up are the hosts back at Malahide on Sunday night (NZT), where Indian Premier League returnees Corey Anderson, Adam Milne and Matt Henry are expected to be available, before offspinner Jeetan Patel comes in for the Bangladesh rematch next Wednesday.
Anderson’s presence made Neesham’s all-round effort more significant.
Neesham is the ODI incumbent at No 6 as Anderson returns to full bowling fitness via light workloads in the IPL. Neesham’s bowling has given coach Mike Hesson headaches and was again a mixed bag in his 2-68, but he underlined his status as the side’s top allrounder.
‘‘I used to feel that [selection pressure] but probably not so much any more,’’ Neesham said. ‘‘The vibe we’ve got in the group is just doing what you can to make the team win and those selection issues will take care of themselves.
‘‘Corey is over from the IPL and he’s available for the next game so I’m not sure how the team makeup will go after that.’’
With wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi now opening with licence to swing in the Brendon Mccullum mould – he scored 27 off 27 balls against Bangladesh before misjudging a slower ball – New Zealand will play two allrounders and potentially both spinners Patel and Mitchell Santner in their Champions Trophy opener against Australia at Edgbaston on June 2.
Colin de Grandhomme will likely be the other allrounder in their Champions Trophy XI, leaving Anderson trying to dislodge Neesham. De Grandhomme, Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Mitchell Mcclenaghan are the final IPL contingent to join the squad in London next Thursday.
Just six of the XI who overhauled Bangladesh’s total of 257-9 with 15 balls remaining are in the Champions Trophy squad.
Bennett isn’t one of them but must be strongly considered if one of Boult, Southee, Milne or Mcclenaghan break down. Teams can make changes to their 15-man squads for any reason up till next Thursday.