Cricket: ODI future a real poser

Free-swinging opening batsman Brendon McCullum will be hard to replace. Photo / Jason Oxenham

With the Brendon McCullum-era likely to close by the end of next summer, if not earlier depending on his troublesome back, how are New Zealand placed to continue their legacy?

In tests, the answer is relatively simple. Kane Williamson would be anointed captain and a form batsman would slot in at No5. At this stage, 22-year-old Will Young from Central Districts appears a frontrunner. Barring wild form fluctuations, the rest of the core test contenders (once Corey Anderson, Jimmy Neesham and Trent Boult return from injury) should be around several years.

The changes are more complex in ODI but, with the foundations for an era built, they remain logical to solve, presuming Williamson is groomed as a suitable skipper.

Assuming players over 35 at the next World Cup are likely to be retired, four positions appear up for grabs from the XI who played New Zealand's maiden World Cup final.

Player A - Opening batsman

McCullum, given his licence to flay attacks, will be hard to replace. The solution will alter the side's balance, regardless. Sure, the captain has had the luxury of a '3-4' insurance with Williamson and Ross Taylor acting as a safety net to his opening flourishes, but the strategy has been a winner.

A quartet of left-handers - Anton Devcich (29), Hamish Rutherford (26), George Worker (25) and Henry Nicholls (23) - shape as contenders.

Devcich and Rutherford have worn national colours, but Central Districts' Worker and Canterbury's Nicholls impressed last summer. Nicholls topped the Ford Trophy averages with 454 runs at 75.66 and a strike rate of 106. Worker had 538 runs at 48.90 and a strike rate of 95, plus he can deliver some useful left-arm orthodox.

Player B - No 5

Grant Elliott will be 40 at the next World Cup but, given his heroic status with that six over long on off Dale Steyn to propel New Zealand into the World Cup final, who knows where his future lies?

Colin Munro (28), Jimmy Neesham (24), Tom Latham (23) and Young offer potential. The former two include bowling skills. Latham, a test incumbent who has spent ample time in the ODI ranks, shapes as favourite to be given a sustained opportunity if Elliott abdicates.

Player C - Wicketkeeper-batsman

At present, Luke Ronchi exudes the suppleness of a rubber band but will be 38 at the next World Cup. Is it feasible he will continue in a role requiring such physicality? Even Brad Haddin, bless him, retired as a World Cup winner at 37. BJ Watling (29) looks the key contender with Derek de Boorder (29) an outside chance. Watling has shown he can up his strike rate as a closer, albeit not to Ronchi's levels. This spot remains an area in which a younger player could fashion an international career with strong domestic performances.

Player D - Spinner, preferably an all-rounder

Entering the Daniel Vettori void, Mitchell Santner (23) showed promise. He was willing to pitch up in loathsome bowling conditions and tore into England with the bat in the latter overs at Nottingham with 44 from 19, including 28 from Adil Rashid's penultimate over. Ish Sodhi (22) shapes as competition, but a consistent ODI game is a lot to ask from a leg spinner's control.