By RICHARD BOOCK
The remarkable career of Mark Richardson is poised for another milestone today when the New Zealand selectors announce their one-day squad for the tri-series in Australia.
Overlooked despite his impressive start in the test scene, Richardson should virtually win his place in the squad by a process of elimination following the injury to Nathan Astle and concerns over the one-day form of Mathew Sinclair and Chris Nevin.
Sinclair averaged only 10.33 in his six outings in Sri Lanka last year and Nevin, although scoring a couple of half-centuries, has made it past 20 only four times in 12 outings.
For a while last season, it seemed Richardson would not be picked under any circumstances. But his form in the recent test series against Australia and two rollicking innings against Bangladesh has possibly forced the selectors' hand. The 30-year-old left-hander, who started his career as a left-arm spinner, choked and reinvented himself as batsman, struck 143 off 191 balls in the test at Hamilton and followed that with a sparkling 83 at the Basin Reserve in a knock laced with some gorgeous drives off the front foot.
It has got to the stage where only dementia could prevent him being picked tonight for the one-day squad, particularly as Astle's hand injury is expected to rule the star opener out for at least four games.
Even if Richardson is selected as expected, his breakthrough seems likely to be upstaged by the inclusion of 20-year-old Otago batsman Brendon McCullum, who smashed 123 in quick time against Auckland during the second round of the State Championship. Although he has yet to set the domestic one-day scene alight, McCullum raised eyebrows around the country with his exploits for the New Zealand Under 19s against South Africa Under 19, stringing together consecutive scores of 123 (off 141 balls), 186 (off 172 balls), 46 not out (off 42 balls) and 100 (off 121 balls).
Chairman of selectors Sir Richard Hadlee gave a strong indication of his thoughts on the subject when he pointed at McCullum's record this season (374 at 46.75), his youthful confidence and his excellent ability as a close-in fieldsman.
"He's just one of those explosive players we need at the top of the order," he said.
As well, players matured earlier in this era of saturation cricket and the selectors also had an eye on building for next year's World Cup.
"Why hold a young player back? He does have many of the qualities we are looking for."
The other main points of discussion seem likely to be the inclusion of Dion Nash, whose three-game suspension finishes today, the probable recall of Scott Styris and Adam Parore and the return from injury of pivotal all-rounder Chris Cairns.
Styris, who missed much of last summer because of a knee problem, is apparently strong as an ox again and should prove useful to the one-day side because of his change of pace at the bowling crease, his under-rated batting and his overall experience. The 24-year-old has already played 30 one-day internationals for his country as a bowling all-rounder, but took his chance when he was promoted up the order against Zimbabwe and hit 48 off 33 balls.
New-ball bowler Shane Bond, 22-year-old Aucklander Kyle Mills and all-rounder Andre Adams should also be included in the squad.
Possible squad: Stephen Fleming (capt), Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Scott Styris, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Dion Nash, Andre Adams, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Shane Bond.
Cricket: Richardson's in - unless the selectors all go down with dementia
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