Cricket: Mills, Astle set for recalls

Nathan Astle

Expect New Zealand's one-day game to arrive at the crossroads this afternoon when the national selectors reveal their squad for the five-match series against the West Indies.

Long bolstered by a surfeit of front-line or bit-part all-rounders, New Zealand will venture into unfamiliar territory following the absence of veteran Chris Cairns, and fresh doubt over Jacob Oram's ability to bowl.

Add selection controversies over Nathan Astle, knee concerns over Scott Styris and injury issues with Kyle Mills and Andre Adams, and it's hard to escape the feeling that the well of all-rounders is about to run dry.

Mills made a partial return from a groin strain during last weekend's Twenty20 contest in Auckland but appeared well off the pace, and Adams has been sidelined with a pot-pourri of finger ailments since December, when he made his most recent representative outing.

The likelihood is that coach John Bracewell might recall Mills for international duty, but it would be a surprise if he also gambled on Adams being up to speed in time for Saturday week's opening one-dayer.

Complicating the issue is the fitness of Oram, who still averages only 18.46 with the bat after 83 ODIs, and in last winter's tour of South Africa proved himself to be a limited contributor as a specialist batsman.

Without his two best all-rounders, Bracewell's most pressing challenge is to find a decent balance to his squad in terms of batting and bowling, a dilemma that could yet force him to back-track on the question of Astle.

Initially dropped for the Sri Lankan series, Astle eventually made guest appearances throughout December as a substitute for injured team-mates and more latterly struck a rollicking 74 in the Twenty20 final against Auckland.

But with part-time bowlers in such short supply, it will be Astle's ability with the ball that could see him win a full reprieve from the selectors, and leave him on track for his fourth World Cup campaign.

Another remedy open to Bracewell is the promotion of wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum from No 8 into the top-order, therefore making more use of the team's most dynamic batsman, and creating a vacancy for an extra bowler.

However, Bracewell has spoken previously of his desire for McCullum to play a specific late innings role for New Zealand, in much the way he did during his team's world record chase against Australia in December.

He may have a point but it would be a shame, not to mention a waste, if he pidgeon-holed the little dasher in that role for the rest of his career, rather than taking time out to explore his value at the top of the order.

Whatever happens there, the series against the West Indies represents the last chance for Bracewell to make some considered adjustments to his squad before the World Cup rat-race begins, and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that he could come up with another bolter.

The drums this week have been beating for young Central powerhouse Ross Taylor. Another fringe candidate could be Wellington left-hander Jesse Ryder.


Possible side

Stephen Fleming (c), Jamie How, Nathan Astle, Lou Vincent, Peter Fulton, Scott Styris, Hamish Marshall, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, James Franklin, Shane Bond, Jeetan Patel.