By RICHARD BOOCK
It was not so much what the New Zealand selectors changed as what they didn't change which was causing the biggest discussion in cricket circles yesterday.
After all the angst following the dreadful run of form this season, the selectors opted to make only the barest alterations to the team for tomorrow's third one-day international at Eden Park, with Daryl Tuffey receiving a run at the expense of Andrew Penn, and Auckland batsman Lou Vincent coming in as cover for the injured Roger Twose.
Twose, who badly sprained a thumb during a Keystone Kops-style collision with Craig McMillan on Saturday night, is out of tomorrow's match, allowing Vincent a probable ODI debut.
However, whether the New Zealand management will be prepared to omit Chris Martin, James Franklin or Jacob Oram to accommodate Tuffey will be another interesting aside, particularly given the inconsistent form from the Northern Districts' paceman in the Shell Cup and on the four-month-long tour of Africa.
These are desperate times for the New Zealand cricket team, yet the selectors continue to neglect their established resources in the search for a bright new star. Vincent's call-up raises the number of players picked this season to 28, and the overall number of current New Zealand representatives to 51.
The journey has taken them well outside the square, when it seems many of the solutions could be lurking right under their nose.
On Saturday night, Adam Parore again demonstrated why he should have a long-term future in the New Zealand one-day side, but as a top-order batsman who keeps, rather than a gloveman who bats in the lower order.
You might have thought that at such a troubled time New Zealand would look to offer their second-most-experienced ODI player more responsibility in terms of batting, particularly given that they have tried just about everyone else in a top-order role, including 12 different partners for Nathan Astle.
Parore has previously expressed a desire to bat up the order, but has been used only in one-off situations, and seems destined to be seen as nothing more than an effective rearguard, someone who can chime in with a useful cameo, or help out after a top-order collapse.
But the selectors should surely see the worth in eating their words about test opener Mark Richardson and rush him into the one-day team forthwith.
Richardson has scored more Shell Cup centuries than anyone who has not played for New Zealand and ranks in the top 10 of the highest Shell Cup run-scorers.
But he has been relegated to the status of a specialist longer-game player by the selectors, who question his ability to cope with both formats.
This reticence no doubt stems from the fact Richardson was once a promising bowler who had a problem with his confidence. According to the selectors, they do not want to "distract" the 29-year-old from his test commitments because he might spontaneously combust under the extra pressure.
He might not be the world's best fieldsman, but neither is Inzamam-ul-Haq.
In a departure from his recent talk of the 2003 World Cup, convener of selectors Sir Richard Hadlee suggested yesterday the focus had shifted to the present, and justified the selection of Vincent on form, albeit with confused information.
"He [Vincent] has displayed some good form in first-class cricket, including making 133 not out [198 balls] in Auckland's last Shell Cup match against Central Districts on January 18," he said.
However, Shell Cup matches do not constitute first-class play, and Vincent made his 133 off 137 balls.
Hadlee added: "We have selected a side for the here and now. We believe they are the best 12 players available. The task for the side is to win on Tuesday."
The panel would re-select the side for the final two matches of the series at Hamilton and Christchurch.
Squad: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Mathew Sinclair, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Lou Vincent, Adam Parore, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Chris Martin, Daryl Tuffey.
Cricket: Selectors resist radical changes
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