Cricket: Near-disaster raises questions about experimental approach

New Zealand came dangerously close to blowing up the laboratory yesterday after their latest experiment backfired spectacularly during the second one-dayer against the West Indies.

Reduced to 13 for four after making more changes to their batting order, New Zealand eventually overhauled the West Indies' modest target of 201, but only after some desperate repair work from Peter Fulton, Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori.

The practice of putting development ahead of winning (at all costs) has been hotly debated by New Zealand supporters in the past fortnight, and yesterday's mixed bag would have done little to ease concerns.

Jamie How, Lou Vincent, Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming were all back in the hutch before the end of the third over, leaving a massive rescue mission in the hands of their teammates, and a question mark over future changes.

Fulton initially helped steady the ship while scoring a gritty 49 off 77 balls, but it was McCullum's gung-ho approach that changed the game, and Vettori's second ODI half-century that ensured New Zealand would head for Christchurch with a 2-0 series lead.

Apart from anything else, the recovery provided more fuel for those who believe McCullum should play a role nearer the top of the batting order, where his clean-striking approach is well-suited to the 20 overs of fielding restrictions.

The little gloveman arrived midway through the 15th over and, despite the perilous position, attacked ferociously for the last Powerplay, helping his team from 49 for five at the end of the 15th, to 96 for five at the end of the 20th.

Having struck five fours and a six, he was controversially adjudged run-out by video umpire Tony Hill in the 32nd over, when television replays suggested the bails were not fully dislodged from the stumps at the moment he made his ground.

It was the second howler from Hill in consecutive ODIs, following on from a scarcely-believable decision at Wellington, where he appeared to decide that Ramnaresh Sarwan had edged a delivery on the strength of an athletic catch from Lou Vincent.

As it was, McCullum's dismissal was not to prove terminal for New Zealand, who received an outstanding contribution from man-of-the-match Vettori; unbeaten at the end on 53 (56 balls) after clubbing the winning runs with eight overs remaining.

Vettori said later that he enjoyed the extra responsibility of batting higher in the order, and was determined to make the most of such a major assignment, given he was usually faced with batting for only a few balls, or a couple of overs.

"I know my batting average [13.37] doesn't look that impressive at the moment, but the important thing is that I take my chances when they arise like today, and hopefully things will keep progressing," he said.

"As for my bowling, it makes things a lot easier when you come on to bowl at 60 for four like it was today; the other guys did really well with the new ball, and as a spinner, that's all you can ask for."

Inserted by Fleming, the West Indies struggled throughout on a slightly sporting surface, reaching 200 only thanks to a fifth wicket stand of 70 between Wavell Hinds and Runako Morton.

With the exception of Styris, New Zealand's bowling attack enjoyed a profitable day at the office.

Shane Bond, James Franklin and Michael Mason combined splendidly during the morning session and Vettori again reinforced his soaring reputation with another world-class performance, snaring one for 28 off his full allotment.