Cricket: Test combo quandaries for selectors

Familiar dilemmas with the opening batting and second spinner positions are set to dominate debate this weekend when the New Zealand test squad is named to play the West Indies.

Having contested a record 21 consecutive one-day internationals in the past six months, the New Zealand players will on Thursday throw themselves back into five-day cricket.

New Zealand's most recent tests were played in August against Zimbabwe, but the side now face a lengthy examination in the longer game with three matches against the West Indies, then three more in South Africa.

Depending on how coach John Bracewell and fellow selectors Glenn Turner, Sir Richard Hadlee and Dion Nash see their task, this weekend's announcement could herald either a dramatically reshaped squad, or a line-up with precious few changes.

But their biggest sticking-points are likely to involve the composition of the opening batting partnership, and the never-ending question of grooming a capable back-up for Daniel Vettori.

On the opening batting combination, the question is whether Bracewell will be happy to continue with the pair he used in the most recent outing at Bulawayo - Lou Vincent and James Marshall.

Vincent would appear safe on the grounds of his reasonable test record so far, the fact that he made 92 in his last innings, and the good form he's struck in the ODI series, including a century this week at Napier.

But James Marshall remains vulnerable despite his grand domestic season, particularly after failing twice in Zimbabwe.

The popular choice for Vincent's partner is Central skipper Jamie How, a solid performer in his first ODI season with the necessary tools to succeed in the test arena.

There is also a case for prolific Canterbury batsman Michael Papps, but it seems How was already in selectors' minds when they released him from the ODI side so he could concentrate on his first-class game.

There will also be interest over Bracewell's choice for his second spin-bowler, given the problem has lingered around New Zealand's international game for the past 15 years.

The incumbent is Canterbury off-spinner Paul Wiseman, who played alongside Vettori in last summer's third test against Australia, and then carried the sole spinning duties into the two tests against Sri Lanka.

Wiseman has the experience of 25 tests but his record is nothing to write home about: 61 wickets at 47.59, and the selectors might decide the time is right to develop a new option.

If they do, then Wellington off-spinner Jeetan Patel must rate a chance after some impressive spells in the series against the West Indies, and showing composure under pressure.

Patel's first-class record for Wellington is average, but if he could replicate the loop, drift and dip he produced with the white ball against the West Indies and Sri Lanka he should not feel out of place on the test circuit.

Bracewell is expected to name a 13-man squad for next week's first test at Eden Park, after which the respective teams will move to Wellington for the second match, and Napier for the third.


First Test

NZ v West Indies
Eden Park starting Thursday

Possible squad: Stephen Fleming (c), Jamie How, Lou Vincent, Hamish Marshall, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Shane Bond, Chris Martin, Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel.