The Black Caps crumbled to pieces in their run chase of 291 on their mission to claim a clean sweep in the One Day series against the visiting SriLankan side.
When the Black Caps last contested an ODI world tournament, the pace group included two veterans who had each made more than a century of appearances.
Fifteen months later, shorn of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, the squad challenging for the Champions Trophy will feature three seamers with a combined 11 caps.
That shift in experience is a natural part in the life cycle of any team – and also helps explain why Lockie Ferguson has been offered every allowance to play the event ahead of Jacob Duffy.
Coach Gary Stead acknowledged the Otago bowler was most unfortunate omission from the 15-man squad named on Sunday for next month’s eight-team tournament in Pakistan and Dubai.
Duffy, who has played 10 ODIs, impressed in both limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, sharing the new ball and striking early in spells. The 30-year-old, unlike Ferguson, also has a central contract with New Zealand Cricket.
But even though Ferguson will be busy with T20 franchise commitments on the eve of the Champions Trophy, possibly missing the entire pre-tournament tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa, Duffy earned only stand-by status. And a promotion to the playing group seems improbable.
The Black Caps’ tri-series matches are set for February 8 and 10, sandwiching the final of the International League in the United Arab Emirates. Ferguson might feature in that T20 match, depending on the progression of his Desert Vipers, before linking with the Black Caps in Pakistan.
The 33-year-old could don a black cap in the tri-series final on February 14 – if New Zealand qualify – otherwise his sole pre-tournament 50-over fixture would be a warm-up game against Afghanistan two days later.
That might leave Ferguson underdone for the rigours of one-day cricket, and Stead did plan on having all players available for “at least two games for us” before the Champions Trophy opener against Pakistan on February 19.
But if Duffy were included ahead of Ferguson and his 65 caps, Matt Henry (85) would have been the solitary member of the pace attack to have played more than 10 ODIs.
And although Will O’Rourke (six), Ben Sears (uncapped) and Nathan Smith (five) have shown undoubted potential – sealing their spots though extra pace or lower-order hitting – unleashing that potential at a major tournament is another matter.
Will O'Rourke and Nathan Smith at the Champions Trophy squad announcement. Photo / Photosport
“You go through cycles of experience throughout your team,” Stead said. “But what we have with this team is a lot of youthfulness that will provide perhaps a point of difference. Will O’Rourke’s made every post a winner so far, the way that he’s come into international cricket, and we’re excited for what he brings.
“He is very new into it, but Matt Henry’s obviously an experienced player. Lockie Ferguson as well has a lot of experience, so [we’re] trying to get that mix right of that youthfulness but still having old heads around them.”
Stead shrugged off the complications around Ferguson’s schedule, also taking no issue with Kane Williamson and Devon Conway potentially being occupied until the final of South Africa’s T20 competition on February 8.
But the batting pair were never under pressure for their place in the squad – wicketkeeper Mitch Hay loomed as the only possible alternative – while Ferguson edged out a bowler who appeared to have finally arrived in international cricket.
Stead, however, pointed out that Duffy seizing his chance remained a boon to the pace stocks for future squads.
“It’s a tough decision,” the coach said. “Jacob Duffy’s been probably the one that people would say is hard done by – he’s been very good in what he’s played for us.
“The way to look at it, though, is if some of these guys – perhaps like a Lockie Ferguson – were available [against Sri Lanka], Jacob Duffy may not have got the opportunity.
“So for us it’s a real positive story that although Jake’s missed [out], it’s still positive we’re growing that depth.”
The Alternative Commentary Collective is covering every home Black Caps test this summer. Listen to live commentary here.
Kris Shannon has been a sports journalist since 2011 and covers a variety of codes for the Herald. Reporting on Grant Elliott’s six at Eden Park in 2015 was a career highlight.
