Reshuffle bid to halt losses

Brendon McCullum may be moved

Brendon McCullum or Jesse Ryder could be sent down the batting order as New Zealand's beleaguered team search for answers ahead of the World Cup.

Keen to break their confidence-sapping streak of 11 losses and to gain a boost ahead of the World Cup, the team are considering changes to their batting order for the one-day internationals against Pakistan. The New Zealand top order has dissolved on numerous occasions this year, particularly since August.

It's understood a fit-again Ryder or McCullum could shift to balance the middle order for the one day series next month (the Twenty20s and the tests will be played first).

Ross Taylor could shift up from four to three with Martin Guptill preferred as second opener to Jamie How. That means talented rookie Kane Williamson would drop out of the limited overs versions but would continue his impressive contributions in the test arena.

Williamson's promise is such, however, that he would likely still be part of the 15-man World Cup squad with the likes of Grant Elliott.

Scott Styris would move to four and James Franklin would stay at six after his recent spell of form, including unbeaten innings of 98 and 72 against India.

Ryder, McCullum and Taylor are believed to be reluctant to make such moves, but realise it could be necessary in the interests of the team.

One school of thought suggests the team are struggling to know how to pace each innings because the top order is uncertain how much back-up they will get. The concept is that they then hit out too hard, too early and get dismissed.

However, another complexion can be placed on any batting re-shuffle. For reasons not clear - and it appears the team are stumped - the top order is not working and their early dismissals have placed too much pressure on those below them.

So the switch of either McCullum or Ryder to a middle-order position is thought to be an attempt to stiffen the spine of the batting should early wickets fall.

Perhaps most likely to make the change is McCullum as he has more experience down the order and was regarded as one of the best 'closers' in the one-day game.

However, Ryder is also regarded as a player who can work the ball around in the middle stages of the game - as he does consistently in tests.

Cynics may argue such changes are merely "re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic" when it comes to the batting order - but New Zealand would at least bat deeper with Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills and Tim Southee rounding out the optimum first XI. That order could change based on form and fitness, with Oram still uncertain to return.

But if the top order batting is one problem, another is the Black Caps' vulnerability against top opposition with their bowling attack.

It has served New Zealand well in the past but slower bowlers who take the pace off the ball and a couple of spinners might be lacking as a strategy these days, even on the lower, slower pitches of the sub-continent. Opponents seem less troubled by this - and the bowling seems to lack a dimension.

One option is to promote a young quick bowler to experiment with the balance of the attack - someone like Central Districts' pair Adam Milne or left-armer Ben Wheeler. Such an option seems unlikely at this stage as it would place a great deal of pressure on any tyro.

However, another option is to play a pace bowler at home this summer and maybe take him away to the World Cup; perhaps leaving behind Gareth Hopkins as a back-up wicketkeeper - provided McCullum is willing and able to shoulder all the responsibilities with the gloves.

That could be Daryl Tuffey if the selectors opt for experience; Hamish Bennett, if he returns from injury; or Andy McKay if they value pace above all else. The latter went for 7.40 an over during his four matches in India but took the most wickets with seven. Nathan McCullum, Williamson and possibly Jeetan Patel are likely to be used as the stop-gap spin options in the meantime as Vettori opts out of the upcoming Twenty20 matches against Pakistan with back and shoulder problems.