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After making it nigh impossible to beat England through a string of inadequate individual performances in cricket's Twenty20 format, New Zealand's chances of redressing the balance in the one-day series have been compromised by the extinguishing of their one shining light.
The future of fast-medium bowler Tim Southee was a focal point of the pallid post mortem following the Black Caps' insipid 50-run loss in the second Twenty20 slog at AMI Stadium last night.
Stand-in captain skipper Brendon McCullum made no bones about his desire to promote the promising 19-year-old to the one-day squad but after earnest debate between the four-man selection panel it was decided the Northern Districts' right armer will join the under-19 World Cup squad today, as originally planned.
It could ultimately prove a self-inflicted setback to complement injuries suffered by Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram but team manager Lindsay Crocker defended the decision to send Southee to Malaysia, where the tournament starts on February 18.
"The selectors have discussed Tim's position in relation to the 50-over series and they've recommitted to the side that's been chosen already," he said.
"They believe while Tim's made some significant advances it's time for him to head off to the under-19 World Cup. They also believe whilst he's performed well it's up to the bowlers who have done the job for us in the past to front up."
Southee arguably made dramatic strides against a rampant English top order last night, taking two for 22 from four overs - the prized wicket of Kevin Pietersen for three and opener Phil Mustard for a rollicking 40.
His double intervention saw England slump to 76 for four in the ninth over but Paul Collingwood's 54 from 28 balls and Owais Shah (47) were instrumental in England posting a cast iron 193 for eight.
New Zealand's batting again failed to fire with the run chase petering out at 143 for eight.
McCullum didn't have to look hard to identify the one feel good factor from two games that have undeniably handed England all-important momentum before the one-day series starts in Wellington on Saturday.
"I'd love to take him to the 50 over game.
"He's been fantastic, he's a calm bloke as well, he seems to fit into the team very well.
"I can't talk highly enough of his performances in the last two games."
Vettori alluded to Southee's maturity during a stint as commentator and mused whether he could be kept on.
However, the opinions of both senior players were overridden after post-match discussions between selectors Sir Richard Hadlee, Glenn Turner, Dion Nash and coach John Bracewell.
"It's obviously disappointing to lose a guy that's in form," McCullum admitted.
"We've just got to hang tough and get performances from those guys coming in."
Michael Mason replaces Southee in the squad while Jeetan Patel, a replacement for Vettori in the Twenty20s, is also a fully-fledged member of the team for the first three ODIs.
McCullum had his fingers crossed Vettori, who is recovering from an ankle sprain, would regain the leadership responsibilities in the capital while Oram was also likely to play after resting a hamstring last night as a precaution.
"I hope so," was McCullum's blunt response when queried on the duo's availability.
"They bring a lot of experience and that's definitely what we need to turn the situation around."
McCullum admitted they were vital if New Zealand were to regroup after a dismal week.
"The performances we've put out in the last few games just aren't good enough. It's not a train smash but as the same time it's very disappointing.
"They definitely hold all the cards at this point but saying that we've got some players in the team good enough to turn things back our way and I guess from our perspective that's the only way we can look at it."
While McCullum was eager to hand over to Vettori, counterpart Collingwood was totally at ease after his bowler's backed up a solid batting effort.
"If I was really picky we lost four quick wickets but that happens in this form of the game," he said, when pressed to find a negative.
"But I thought we picked the momentum back really well, myself and Ace (Shah).
"It's all good heading into the one-day series."
- NZPA
