Selection spin to test Black Caps
THE shortest conversation of Mike Hesson and Gavin Larsen’s tenure doesn’t mean any less angst at the New Zealand test cricket selection table this summer.
Aside from wicketkeeper BJ Watling’s hip injury which saw him scratched, a week out from Friday’s first test against West Indies, it was a straightforward Wellington 12 for Hesson and Larsen to pick.
But they’re far from the finished article as a test side.
Frontline spinner (Mitchell Santner) and pace bowling allrounder (Colin de Grandhomme) remain hot discussion topics in the test side.
Hesson doesn’t do selection speculators in the tests, and two highly winnable ones against West Indies offer the incumbents a chance to reaffirm their worth. SPINNER
Main contenders: Mitchell Santner (incumbent), Todd Astle, Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel.
Coach Hesson confirmed Santner was ‘‘without doubt’’ his top test spinner. ‘‘He’s been a regular and really important member of our test squad and made some very good contributions.’’
Santner is a fine cricketer and his innings of 55 and 53 against Auckland were encouraging from an all-round perspective. But a frontline test spinner he is not (31 wickets at 39, best bowling 3-60). Kane Williamson threw the ball to Jeetan Patel in search of South African wickets, while Santner’s containing role and clever variations is better suited to white ball cricket.
Being multi-skilled is Santner’s biggest asset, something that counts against Ish Sodhi and Ajaz Patel who are attacking wicket-takers. Luckless leggie Todd Astle – with truckloads of domestic wickets – must be close again in the test thinking given his batting and fielding ability. PACE ALLROUNDER
Main contenders: Colin de Grandhomme (incumbent), Jimmy Neesham, Scott Kuggeleijn, Logan van Beek.
Neesham and Corey Anderson held their own at No 6 with the bat, before Neesham’s bowling fell away and Anderson required back surgery. It’s a tough gig, pace bowling allrounder, and de BOWLING PHOTOSPORT Grandhomme thrives on pitches that seam but doesn’t quite nail either discipline at the top level.
It’s screaming out for a 140kmh paceman to shove past in the queue to bat No 8 and Dutch international van Beek has been hostile and fast for Wellington. The problem is he needs runs and there’s no more first-class cricket till March. Same goes with Kuggeleijn, although both are being closely watched by the selectors. NUMBER FIVE
Main contenders: Henry Nicholls (incumbent), Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Neil Broom, Tom Bruce.
It’s only two tests since Nicholls’ brilliant Basin hundred against South Africa. That innings alleviated some creeping doubts about his technique and angled bat on defence, but another big score against West Indies wouldn’t hurt to slam the door shut. Nicholls looks to have this sealed for the summer, barring a horror trot against West Indies. TRENT BOULT’S NEW BALL BUDDY
Main contenders: Tim Southee (incumbent), Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Hamish Bennett.
Southee’s partner is due to give birth this week which leaves some minor doubt over his Basin Reserve participation, which could give Henry a chance to replicate his impressive Hamilton stand-in performance.
Southee’s spot is safe on fresh December pitches with the ball swinging, but it’ll be interesting to see how he fires up after a winter break. With Southee there’s always the suspicion he’s battling injury niggles, while Trent Boult roared up another gear in India after a two-month break. WICKETKEEPER
Main contenders: BJ Watling (incumbent), Tom Blundell, Tim Seifert, Derek de Boorder.
Watling’s chances of playing in Hamilton appear unlikely, too, given his niggly hip problem stopped him keeping for the last four Plunket Shield matches. It means two tests for the replacement and Blundell deserves a shot, is gloving it well and good enough to bat six after averaging 55 last summer.
Blundell and Seifert – five years younger – have been difficult to split, and the latter’s big hundred in Alexandra was compelling but too late for this series as the Wellington gloveman keeps his nose in front.