Cricket: Bracewell handing over the poisoned chalice

James Marshall has been offered an extra insurance policy as he prepares to take on the riskiest job in New Zealand cricket.

The Northern Districts' right-hander was yesterday rushed into the New Zealand side as Craig Cumming's opening partner, allowing Stephen Fleming to drop to No 4 and for Craig McMillan to be put out of his misery in the third and final test starting at Eden Park on Saturday.

The identical twin bother of team-mate Hamish, James will be the fifth opening batsman used by New Zealand in as many tests this summer, following in the footsteps of Mark Richardson, Mathew Sinclair, Cumming and Fleming.

It will be the first time in world cricket that a pair of identical - rather than fraternal - twins have played in the same test side, and for James it promises to be the most gruelling assignment of his life.

But to ease the pressure, the 26-year-old has effectively been told he will remain in the test outfit for the rest of the home summer, meaning further chances next month against Sri Lanka.

Coach John Bracewell said yesterday that the intention was to provide the spring-haired debutante with an extended opportunity.

"I would hope that James would play all three tests [one against Australia and two against Sri Lanka], but I guess there's always a chance that he may get injured as well ... "

Bracewell explained that he made the decision to bring in Marshall for two reasons, to harness his ability off the back-foot, and to allow Fleming to slip down to No 4, where he seemed more likely to make a contribution.

Marshall has opened only three times for Northern Districts at first-class level this season for an average of 18, but in the past fortnight has scored 71, 51, 62 and 37 from middle-order positions.

The move has already attracted the interest of Australian fast-bowler Glenn McGrath, who said yesterday that he expected such an inexperienced opener would find himself under enormous pressure.

But Bracewell said he had faith in Marshall's capabilities and backed his technique to deal with the difficult length of the Australian pace attack.

"He has opened before and we think he has the right credentials to work at international level, just as we found out with his brother who doesn't normally bat at No 3," he said. "We needed somebody who we felt could deal with the bounce and back-foot play which will be required against the Australians."

He said the tourists were adept at bowling short and forcing the New Zealand batsmen on to the back foot, and then bowling a fuller pitched ball that often penetrated the defences.

As for Fleming, Bracewell reasoned that his captain had to be given more protection from the new ball so that his run-productivity could be increased.