Cricket: Familiar Black Caps look for mini match

Don't expect a radical departure from the norm this weekend when John Bracewell names New Zealand's inaugural Twenty20 side to play Australia at Eden Park.
Not known for excessive bouts of levity while on duty, Bracewell is unlikely to stray far from the usual one-day suspects for the mini match, and can be depended on to treat the contest as a serious international.

Not for him the suggestion that the 20 over-a-side game is essentially a festival match in which the competitive component of the showdown takes a back seat to the marketing and entertainment priorities.

In fact, it would be something of a surprise if Bracewell looked outside his immediate group of 12 or 13 ODI players when choosing his side, such is the flexibility of the incumbents, and their credentials for the task.

It's true, a couple of years ago he might have thought twice about including Stephen Fleming in a Twenty20 concept, given the New Zealand captain's slightly one-dimensional run-collection method, and apparent lack of firepower.

But if you were to choose the most dominant batsman in the country at the moment, it would be hard to go past Fleming after his incandescent hand at Christchurch last month, and his subsequent pyrotechnics in the State Shield.

Among a handful of New Zealanders who have received a taste of Twenty20 in the English domestic competition, Fleming seems to have expanded his approach this summer and will probably be the first picked.

Possibly the biggest headache for Bracewell will be whether to pick his in-form but injury-prone spinner Daniel Vettori, given his workload over the past 10 days and the fact that the first ODI against Australia begins tomorrow week.

If he opts against risking Vettori, the vacancy may prompt a call-up for someone such as Paul Wiseman, particularly as visiting Australian teams often struggle with the slowness of New Zealand pitch conditions.

Another discussion point will be the unavailability through injury of Scott Styris, although with Craig McMillan showing white-hot form in the domestic competitions, Bracewell appears to have a ready-made replacement.

Twenty20 is a game that might suit McMillan, given his long-range strike-power, his ability to pace himself, and his willingness to lend a hand with the ball.

For the same reasons, it should also prove an entertaining stage for his Canterbury team-mate Nathan Astle, whose return to the bowling crease has been matched by improving form with the bat.

Bracewell might dither a bit over Hamish Marshall and Mathew Sinclair before picking them on the basis of their State Shield form, but he should have few qualms about adding Jeff Wilson - as a forerunner to a much bigger return the following weekend.

Contrary to initial opinion, Wilson's return to international cricket last month proved that Bracewell was playing no marketing games with the selection, and that he was up to speed in terms of the mental aspects of the game.

Unless injury plays a part, Daryl Tuffey, Kyle Mills, Chris Cairns and Brendon McCullum will all take part in the contest, leaving the only remaining doubt over whether Bracewell will opt to include Andre Adams, or a bolter such as Graeme Aldridge or Lance Hamilton.

Possible Twenty20 team: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Mathew Sinclair, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, Chris Cairns, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jeff Wilson, Paul Wiseman, Daryl Tuffey, Andre Adams.