Cricket: Questions over who is in charge

The Black Caps' recent struggles on the field have occurred in the context of something of a power struggle between the selectors on one hand and coach John Wright and players on the other.

'Power struggle' might be overstating it a little - as it has always been the New Zealand cricket policy for selectors to choose the squad (usually in consultation with coach and captain) and for the coach and captain to decide on the playing XI, taking into account the pitch; the opposition; form; strategy and other variables.

However, sources close to the team suggest that stand-in skipper Ross Taylor and Wright had to deal with more than that when they arrived at the ground in Christchurch last Saturday for the third one-day international against Pakistan.

Phone calls from the selectors to Wright and Taylor are understood to have been made - issuing instructions or, at the very least, strongly worded suggestions, on the selection of the playing XI.

It's understood the selectors wanted left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock in, given skipper Daniel Vettori was being rested. Coach and players are believed to have wanted the more experienced Nathan McCullum to give him more preparation for the World Cup.

The selectors' insistence might also explain why the four pace bowlers - Tim Southee, Hamish Bennett, Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram - each had spells into and with the wind. Many cricket followers did not understand why a quickie like Bennett toiled into the wind but it appears this experimentation was to see who did the best job in those conditions.

It has been a trying few days for the panel of Mark Greatbatch, Glenn Turner and Lance Cairns. Sometimes they have been at odds with the thinking of Wright and Vettori as the team completes its final matches before the World Cup opener against Kenya in a fortnight.

Vettori hinted at such a scenario when asked whether he would be available for the fifth one-dayer in Hamilton. He said, with a wry laugh: "I don't make those sorts of decisions."

Wright has been arguing a strong case on behalf of the team for matters to return to the status quo. That hasn't gone unnoticed and he has earned valuable kudos amongst the players; many of whom have been confused and unhappy with the "rotation".

Wright won't say it, but he's apparently keen on assuming a more hands-on selectorial role - much like Graham Henry with the All Blacks. Yet sources suggest he is reluctant to push his case. He is aware of the fate of the previous regime with Greatbatch being ousted as coach but retained as convenor and Vettori removed as a selector.

Wright spoke against rotation, yet that is exactly what happened, especially for that third match. It raises questions over how much influence he wields and if he is running the team on his terms.

Of arguably greater concern is Vettori. His demeanour of late at media conferences has been undemonstrative. He looks jaded and the upcoming trip to the subcontinent does not look to be filling him with joy.

The irony is that, while Vettori has been stripped of some responsibilities, he appears more tired; perhaps a hangover from dealing with the constant politicking. It's understood he will be pleased to end his captaincy afterwards.

Even with the public and team dissatisfaction over rotation, there have been some highlights mitigating the mixed performances which have left this side looking vulnerable. For example, bowling at the death has improved steadily - from matches three to five, the Black Caps improved from 126 runs for three wickets in the last 10 overs to 86 for four and 61 for four.

The Queenstown washout stalled momentum and the series slipped away with 10 personnel changes in the process. Pakistan made three. All players (even Woodcock) got an opportunity but the policy is understood to have harmed the team environment due to frustrations at its seeming random nature.

Consistency has been a victim, be it selection or performance. Ryder was the main example, rested after a swirling 50 and a couple of catches in Wellington. Franklin and Nathan McCullum were also rotated after commendable displays.

At least there seems to be a core. Martin Guptill, Taylor, Scott Styris, Brendon McCullum and Hamish Bennett played every completed game this series. Vettori is a guaranteed starter, as presumably are Tim Southee, Jesse Ryder and Nathan McCullum. James Franklin - after he defended New Zealand's honour so convincingly in India - and Jacob Oram should take the final spots.

Oram's batting might have been patchy, but he is a proven performer late in the order and his bowling has been tight. Kyle Mills is the other player likely to be given a decent run in India, probably rotated with Bennett.

The other three (Kane Williamson, Jamie How and Woodcock) will get little game time if everyone else stays fit.