Borthwick back for Firebirds
Wellington have secured the services of a batsman on the fringes of the English test squad for the one day season.
Scott Borthwick returns to Wellington for the entirety of the Ford Trophy, adding strength to the Firebirds batting line up and another bowling option with his leg spin.
He will also be available for two Plunket Shield four-day games, and his influence could come in handy to a side which could lose a couple of players to international cricket.
Wicketkeeper batsman Tom Blundell would appear likely to earn a call-up for the ODI series against Australia, while Hamish Bennett may be in the conversation for a Black Caps Twenty20 spot given his Super Smash form.
Wellington coach Bruce Edgar said it will be handy to add further depth to the Wellington squad for the one day season.
‘‘He’s been mooted to be very close to playing for England, so he’s a very good cricketer,’’ Edgar said.
‘‘He batted in our side last year and did very well. It’s his method, the way he went about it that was impressive.
‘‘There was one game in Christchurch at Hagley Oval, and the pitch was the greenest he’d played on, but he scored a hundred on it. That’s the kind of batsman we’ve got.’’
Borthwick scored 532 runs in six games for Wellington in the Plunket Shield last year, at a average of 48.36. In those 12 innings, Borthwick scored two centuries and three 50s.
Edgar said his addition to the squad was supported by England, who want the 26-year-old to play as often as possible.
His addition could prove invaluable to a Wellington side which may lose one of its best batsman at the end of January.
Blundell made his Twenty20 international debut against Bangladesh, with Luke Ronchi out injured.
Ronchi will remain out for the Chappell-Hadlee series giving Blundell a good chance at further international cricket, unless the selectors decide to try BJ Watling in white ball cricket again.
Meanwhile, Edgar believes Bennett is deserving of a Twenty20 call up for New Zealand’s February 17 game against South Africa.
Bennett was one of the key performers in Wellington’s march to the McDonald’s Super Smash title. Having missed the first few games, Wellington were transformed with his fast, hard to read bowling.
‘‘He’s bowling really quick, which is one thing, but his change ups have been very tough for batsmen to pick,’’ Edgar said,
‘‘That knuckle ball, whatever you call it, he has has caught a lot of batsman off guard. He’d be hard to ignore.’’
All the more reason why having Borthwick during that time will be a big bonus for Wellington.
Jeetan Patel and Luke Woodcock will remain Wellington’s go-to spin options despite Borthwick bowling quality leg spin.