Cricket: Batting form dilemma for Black Caps

John Bracewell

John Bracewell is expected to ignore the uproar over New Zealand's top-order batting when he names his squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.

The New Zealand coach has constantly defended his most out-of-form batsmen and seems poised to show faith in them yet again today, when he reveals his combination for the first two one-dayers, at Queenstown and Christchurch.

That should mean reprieves for the three worst-performers in the New Zealand top-order - Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, and veteran opener Nathan Astle - and even more waiting around for the country's most hopeful contenders.

Ironically, the only likely changes will involve the bowling attack, where Shane Bond and Andre Adams seem certain to return at the expense of James Franklin and Chris Martin.

Bond was primed to play his first home international in three years when he pulled a hamstring on the eve of the first Chappell-Hadlee one-dayer, and Adams was similarly upbeat before a freak finger injury.

But the biggest debate over New Zealand's performance this summer has involved a handful of their specialist batsmen, and in particular the issue of introducing fresh talent at the most appropriate time.

Bracewell might have received solid support for sticking to his guns against the world-champion Australians, but employing the same strategy against the Sri Lankans is sure to provoke heated discussion among amateur selectors.

Of the trio at risk, McMillan has enjoyed the most charmed existence, and - if he is picked again today - must surely rank as the luckiest international cricketer in living memory.

Not only has he fashioned a weak record over 175 ODIs, he's now been described by his coach as a "floating" batsman, and one whose performance is apparently not critical to the success of the team.

If that's the criteria for retaining his place, no wonder McMillan's so nonplussed about criticism.

As for Marshall, the right-hander has suffered a dreadful run drought over the past three months, but at least showed his ability in top company last season when he was named batsman of the year.

One of the New Zealanders who prefers to shun net practice in favour of throw-downs and computer analysis, Marshall had a miserable Chappell-Hadlee series against Australia, and before that produced even worse performances in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

However, he has a better temperament than McMillan, is a much superior fieldsman and his quickness between the wickets is far more useful during the middle and late stages of the innings.

Astle is probably the least vulnerable of the three, on account of his 15 ODI centuries and his record as New Zealand's most successful one-day batsman, but he wouldn't want his slump to continue much longer.

His latest century came against India at Harare in September, when he led his side to triumph in the final of the Videocon tri-series, and since then his best contribution has been 37 in the fifth ODI against South Africa.

Possibly the only hint of Bracewell's planning will come if Stephen Fleming is declared doubtful for the opening match at Queenstown following his finger injury.

If Fleming remains uncertain, Bracewell will almost certainly bring another batsman into the squad as cover, just as he did with James Marshall at the start of last month's series against Australia.

However, with James Marshall yet to take any of his chances at international level, Bracewell might be tempted to bring in a fringe player for the extra experience: a Jesse Ryder or a Ross Taylor might be considered.

THE LINE-UP

New Zealand (possible): Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Lou Vincent, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Andre Adams, Shane Bond, Jesse Ryder.

* Meanwhile, Northern Districts managed to negotiate the showers at Eden Park's outer oval to take first-innings points against Auckland in yesterday's only remaining State Championship match.

Resuming at 172-9, Auckland required another 83 runs to claim a first-innings advantage, but were eventually snuffed out for 194, after Kerry Walmsley was stumped off the bowling of Daniel Vettori.

Northern were 41-2 when play was abandoned, following a success of sorts for Hamish Marshall unbeaten on 0 after facing five balls.