Who can really do it all?
Everyone thinks they can bat and bowl but very few can actually lay claim to being a genuine allrounder. Cricket writer Adrian Seconi examines the Black Caps’ options.
Corey Anderson (27)
Leftarm fast medium, lefthand bat
Status: The technical term is stuffed. Sidelined from international cricket since June with a back complaint.
Strengths: Has a devastating power game wellsuited to limitedovers formats. Who will ever forget his 36ball ODI century in Queenstown in 2014? And he can bowl a heavy ball as well.
Weaknesses: Anderson’s problem is he spends more time in rehab than on the cricket field. When he it fit, he is the
No 1 choice.
Rank: Ferrari. Fast but spends too much time in the pits.
Jimmy Neesham (27)
Rightarm fast medium, lefthand bat
Status: Making another return from the physio’s bench. Still getting his bowling loads up.
Strengths: Strikes the ball beautifully and scored a century on test debut. He hits the deck hard and has bowled some cracking spells at firstclass level.
Weaknesses: Looks pedestrian with the ball at international level and has not always grasped his opportunities with the bat.
Rank: Jaguar. Stylish but the performance does not always measure up.
Colin de Grandhomme (31)
Rightarm medium, righthand bat
Status: Clubbing it. Scored a wonderful century in the opening test against the West Indies in Hamilton.
Strengths: Can turn a match with his batting in about 30 minutes and gets some nice shape with the ball. Has done brilliantly well during a brief test career.
Weaknesses: Not the type of player to dig in and his bowling can look pretty friendly at times.
Rank: Mustang. Powerful and solid but has clunky handling and lacks finesse.
Mitchell Santner (25)
Leftarm spin, lefthand bat
Status: Incumbent. Batting at No 6 and pops up to claim the odd wicket.
Strengths: A very talented limitedovers players. Creates pressure at the bowling crease and picks up some handy wickets. He can bat a bit and is a good fieldsman.
Weaknesses: Batting far too high in the test team considering his mediocre record and is more of a holding bowler than someone who will rip out wickets.
Rank: Toyota. Great reputation but lacks Xfactor.
Scott Kuggeleijn (25)
Rightarm fast, righthand bat
Status: Has had a taste of international cricket with two ODIs against Ireland.
Strengths: Bowls at a good clip and has a terrific bouncer. He is also a hardhitting lowerorder batsman of some ability.
Weaknesses: Can be on the expensive side and arguably the weakest batsman out of the bunch.
Rank: Tesla. Could be awesome but has not survived the test of time.
Todd Astle (31)
Leg break, righthand bat
Status: Back in fashion. Has been a stopgap type of player.
Strengths: Is a really good firstclass bowler and a much better batsman than his average suggests.
Weaknesses: Has not impressed when provided opportunities at international level.
Rank: Hyundai. Nothing fancy but good value for money.
Anaru Kitchen (33)
Leftarm spinner, righthand bat
Status: Has revived his career since transferring to Otago.
Strengths: Been in brilliant form with the bat for the Volts and has developed into a very useful leftarm spinner.
Weaknesses: Has played three oneday games for New Zealand A but his selection would be a big punt.
Rank: Triumph Stag. Be nice to drive but would it get you there?
Doug Bracewell (27) Rightarm fast medium, righthand bat
Status: Discipline and injuries have seen him slip down the pecking order.
Strengths: He took three for 20 and six for 40 to lead New Zealand to its first test win in Australia for 26 years in 2011. Few could have produced that performance.
Weaknesses: His batting offered promise but was not up to scratch at international level.
Rank: Chevrolet Camaro. Good in its day but has been overtaken by faster vehicles.
Ben Stokes (26)
Rightarm fast medium, left hand bat
Status: Suspended England allrounder.
Strengths: Has not played much test cricket lately but absolutely flayed Otago in a twenty20 match at Hagley Oval yesterday. He smashed 93 from 47 balls.
Weaknesses: Allegedly has a few discipline issues. Also he is not actually eligible for New Zealand which is a bit of a setback.
Rank: DeLorean. Travel back in time and stop his family moving to the UK when he was 13.