By RICHARD BOOCK
Simon Doull seems poised to make a return to international cricket sooner than expected.
The Northern Districts' swing-bowler was invalided out of last year's tour of England with a career-threatening knee injury, but is now one of the leading candidates to replace Dion Nash in the New Zealand one-day team to play Australia.
A probable 12-strong squad will be announced today, with the most interest - now that Nash has been sidelined for the season - surrounding the composition of the bowling attack.
With left-armer Geoff Allott also ruled out for the season, and Andrew Penn, Shayne O'Connor and Chris Drum yet to impress at ODI level, the selectors appear to be leaning towards recalling Doull, and possibly introducing Canterbury's Warren Wisneski to the international stage.
Doull, after undergoing knee surgery upon his return last year, has bowled just 29 overs in five Shell Cup matches since his comeback, but may receive the nod on the strength of his previous ODI experience and his strikepower with the new ball.
The New Zealand selectors have long trumpeted the value of a potent new-ball strikeforce, and having seen the strategy pay full value when Allott was fit, are expected to plump for similar attacking options to counter the threat of dashing Australian openers Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh.
The 30-year-old Doull has taken 34 wickets in 40 ODIs and was moving freely in the latter stages of Northern's Shell Cup campaign after initially doubting his ability to return to competitive cricket.
The selectors could decide to retain Penn, who proved expensive in the fifth ODI against the West Indies, but seem more likely to call in the strongly built Wisneski, New Zealand A's best bowler in the ODI series against England A this summer and the player of the series in the Shell Cup finals.
Of the other candidates, Northern's Daryl Tuffey is probably considered a shade green for the Australians, O'Connor and Drum have struggled to keep a lid on the scoring at ODI level, and Alex Tait, a replacement player to India, is not seen as a genuine attacking option.
Only Wellington's Robert Kennedy, who might attract some close selectorial attention after a strong domestic campaign, is thought to be on the shortlist alongside Doull and Wisneski.
The permutations appear less involved when it comes to the New Zealand batting line-up, particularly as the selectors are dealing with a side who recently won five consecutive ODIs, and are unlikely to be making any more changes than they have to.
Opening batsman Craig Spearman is expected to hold off the challenge of Mathew Sinclair, and Craig McMillan seems set to be retained despite his modest recent form, while wicketkeeper Adam Parore is available again after being cleared of his thigh injury.
However, World Cup batsman Matt Horne will not be considered for selection after suffering a broken hand during the first test against the West Indies in Hamilton. The right-handed opener has started playing club cricket in Dunedin and has been encouraged to rediscover his form at Shell Trophy level in preparation for the test series.
Possible New Zealand one-day side: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Craig Spearman, Roger Twose, Chris Cairns, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori, Scott Styris, Simon Doull, Warren Wisneski.
Cricket: Dion's woes prompt early call for Doull
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.