Cricket: UAE performances to shape Cup squad

World Cup cricket warm up UAE v Netherlands at Blake Park. The stumps fly as UAE batsman Chirag Suri is clean bowled. Photo / NZME.

The United Arab Emirates, not New Zealand, is where key decisions on next year's World Cup squad will be made.

The departure yesterday of 12 players in the New Zealand A squad means 27 of the country's best players will be in the UAE until early next month. Any players not in Dubai by tomorrow are all but out of the World Cup running.

The 27 comprise several who specialise in either test or limited-overs cricket and those who are key figures in both forms of the game.

The 12 NZ A players - it was to be 13 before Jesse Ryder ruled himself out this week - have four games ahead of them, against World Cup-bound associate countries Ireland (whom they play twice), Afghanistan and the UAE, all in Dubai.

They are likely to be bolstered by a couple of players unwanted for the third and final test against Pakistan, starting in Sharjah next week.

The formula is pretty straightforward for this group: perform strongly against the associate countries, and get picked for the subsequent five ODIs against Pakistan - in what are New Zealand's last 50-over internationals before the squad of 15 for the cup must be named.

There are seven ODIs at home against Sri Lanka in January, but that is after the group is revealed.

Coach Mike Hesson has already indicated several of the test squad, who are strong cup chances, may get an early departure before the Pakistan ODIs to rest and prepare for the arrival of Sri Lanka.

Those players might include captain Brendon McCullum and senior seamer Tim Southee, possibly batting kingpins Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson, although right now both look as if they could do with more time at the crease.

The incentive for the NZ A players is clear. Several would appear solid cup chances - captain Mills, burly left armer Mitchell McClenaghan, spinners Nathan McCullum and Dan Vettori and opener Martin Guptill.

Others, such as bearded opener Anton Devcich, top order batsman Dean Brownlie, Auckland's hard hitters the Colins Munro and de Grandhomme, and fast bowling pair Adam Milne and Matt Henry have their opportunity.

Hesson suggested recently he and fellow selector Bruce Edgar had about four or five spots they were mulling over. Now would seem the ideal time for those on the fringe to make a statement.

NZ A play the UAE on Sunday, Afghanistan next Wednesday, and the Irish on November 29 and December 1.

Reluctant traveller Ryder is back in the Otago side for their T20 game against Canterbury today.

Ryder missed Otago's last Georgie Pie Super Smash game in Christchurch on Sunday after missing the Otago team's flight north on Saturday.

He then turned down a plea from his teammates to make a later flight to Christchurch, citing personal reasons for missing the match, which is understood to be a relationship issue.

Ironically that game was Otago's first win of the competition.

Departing dozen
• The New Zealand A squad which left for Dubai yesterday: Kyle Mills (c), Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Dean Brownlie, Colin Munro, Colin de Grandhomme, Derek de Boorder, Nathan McCullum, Dan Vettori, Adam Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan, Matt Henry.