Since the high-profile review meeting between NZC and the captain, coach, high performance director and who-have-you was marked by a decision not to effect any sweeping changes, the focus now shifts to the tour of India. Jonathan Millmow has stated the Black Caps now get "one last chance", and that there's "no plan B if the tour is a failure".
From this it would seem there's an awful lot riding on the series, which features three tests against the number one test side in their own backyard, and no warm-up games scheduled whatsoever. But then it's the players who've invited such scrutiny upon themselves.
The squad will be picked tomorrow. Apparently, a surprise casualty of the Bangladesh series is Daryl Tuffey, who is set to be omitted from the test squad. Tuffey's last visit to India was back in 2003 (during which he bowled extremely well), and while he may not be as effective as he once was, his experience should have earned him a spot. Not to mention his vastly improved batting.
Assuming Tuffey doesn't make it, here's the squad I would like to see:
Starting XI (in batting order): Tim McIntosh, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Kane Williamson, Reece Young (wk), Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Brent Arnel, Chris Martin.
Bench: BJ Watling, Martin Guptill, Andy McKay, Jeetan Patel.
While the selectors are keen to persevere with the default opening combination, How has been in excellent form of late and should have played in Bangladesh, where Watling was out of sorts. Williamson played spin far better than anyone else in BD, and the selectors must throw him in the deep end now. I would take Watling and Guptill aside and tell them they are very much a part of NZ's plans, and to stay hungry. McCullum (now available only as a specialist batsman) at three would raise many an eyebrow, but he can be effective if he puts his mind to it, and the responsibility may be good for him. His reasonable batting record in 50-plus tests cannot be discounted either. Four specialist bowlers will mean a lot of work for Vettori, but Williamson and Ryder can back him up. I've also gone for Young as the new wicketkeeper because of the need to move on from Gareth Hopkins, but the selectors would probably disagree.
The selectors are likely to stick with much the same side which played in the final test against Australia last season, perhaps even retaining Mathew Sinclair at three. While pretty much everyone in that lineup makes my squad, our choices in the starting XI may well differ. Since McCullum is set to move down the order in ODIs after some reckless batting in Bangladesh, his test status might be on the slide as well.
As a final thought, Iain O'Brien looks set to return to NZ following some residency issues at Middlesex. He is just the bowler the attack needs, someone who can operate for long spells at reasonable speed. Could he be a possible bolter in the side?
Top Cricket From The Second Tier
13 years ago
2 comments:
Some interesting thoughts Suhas. I particularly like the inclusion of Young, and the dropping of Watling and Guptill (who didn't get any runs in Zimbabwe). Presumably you only have one spinner then, with KW throwing down his part-timers?
I agree that the axing of Tuffey is harsh, but to be expected given his age.
And whilst I would love to see the people's cricketer back in the side, he can be nothing more than short term fix until wifey gets antsy again!
What do you think of Bennett's inclusion?
To be honest I don't know much about Young, but his batting and keeping seem to be well-regarded. I just felt it was about time they looked beyond Hopkins. I suppose if Kruger Van Wyk qualifies next year he'll definitely make the side.
Yeah, one specialist spinner is a big risk but I have a feeling Patel would suffer the same fate as Nathan Hauritz, unless he's added some variation in the last few months.
I share your opinion of Bennett's selection. India is an unforgiving place for a rookie paceman to tour, I would mcuh rather have him turn out for Canterbury and maybe consider him for the Pakistan tests at home.
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