Where should McCullum bat?

[Bahnz]

After New Zealand's tragicomedy in Bangladesh, everyone's scrabbling around for potential solutions to what appears to be a complete meltdown, particularly in the batting. One potential answer that Daniel Vettori has raised is to revive the old debate of where McCullum should bat:

Brendon McCullum set for move down batting order | Stuff.co.nz

It's an interesting idea, with some merit given New Zealand's inability to bat out 50 overs this year. What's more, with the batting powerplay, McCullum could be poised to take full advantage of the fielding restrictions and really up the ante for New Zealand at the death. However, it means a big loss at the top. McCullum's figures opening the batting since the 2007 World Cup have been impressive, averaging a shade over 36 at a strikerate of 93.5. And with Guptill out of form, Watling looking not up to scratch and Jamie How still with a big question mark over aspects of his technical and mental game, McCullum shifting down leaves us looking dangerously light on genuine ability at the top. One could argue the case that with the return of Styris and Oram, and a move for Daniel Vettori a couple of slots down the order, our problems could solve themselves.

Any thoughts or opinions on where McCullum should bat for the next 6 months running into the World Cup?

[Flem274*]

Shifting McCullum would solve our hunt for a number seven, and any of Watling, How and Guptill are fine opening.

But McCullum is a decent opener, and his batting position is not the overall answer to our problems against quality spin bowling in the subcontinent.

[sifter132]

Somewhere private, we don't want to see that kind of stuff...

Nah but seriously, I think he should float in the order. Get him to nominate one or two of the opposition bowlers that he thinks he can get after and just put him in when they are bowling. That kind of idea may not be a luxury New Zealand has to fiddle with, but I like the idea itself.

[Flem274*]

Actually, shifting McCullum and moving one of the openers up from 3 means we need a new number 3. How, Guptill and Watling have all slotted in there since 2007, and all have done a good job bar Watling (lack of games) before losing form and getting dropped. So if McCullum moves, what do we do with the batting order?

Williamson probably shouldn't bat at three yet, and Taylor looks so much better at four. Since the World Cup is in the subcontinent, Styris would be a good option there. The only problem is he's likely to retire straight after, but we have four years until the 2015 World Cup so that's fine.

Jamie How seems to be finding gaps in the field these days, which was his main problem in ODIs. Guptill is in shocking form and Watling struggles against spin but does deserve more chances. The second openers spot is between How and Watling for mine with Guptill as first reserve.

The bigger issue is finding an opening partner for Mills with the ball. Should we back Bennett to be a specialist strike bowler despite his poor List A record? McKay has all the assets to be a class bowler but his record is arguably flattering. You still get the feeling Tuffey is a shadow of his former self. Southee has the world at his feet and is brilliant at the death but is a poor opening bowler in ODIs thus far.

[Prince EWS]

I think it largely depends on who else you have playing. Realistically I think you have more viable opening options than late-order power hitting options, so I'd be inclined to bat him at seven, but...

- He legitimately is more effective opening than as a finisher.
- When Oram's playing the role is more or less covered. As much as I've always thought Oram to be a pretty over-rated ODI batsman, he definitely is the best finisher in the country at the moment. The problem with this is that Oram's far from a banker as a player and you don't really want to be moving McCullum around on a game to game basis.

[irottev]

I'd have him at 6.

Now he'll know what it's like to come in at 20-5 or whatever.

Watling/Guptill/How
Ryder
Taylor
Williamson
Styris
B McCullum
Elliott/Franklin/Oram
Vettori
Mills
Tuffey/McKay/Southee/N McCullum
Bennett

6 gives him enough chance to come in and play a decent enough of a knock and finish the game for us. Wouldn't want him at 7 or below Elliott or Oram or whoever.

Bennett and Williamson deserve more chances, both showed promise in the series and those two could be keys to our future. Bennett provides an aggressive bowler and Williamson a talented middle order batsman. 4 is the perfect spot for him IMO otherwise at 3 and Tatlor at 4. Currently it's best putting Taylor in the middle of the inexperienced players.

[Prince EWS]

1. McCullum
2. Ryder
3. Styris
4. Taylor
5. Williamson
6. Elliott
7. Oram
8. Vettori
9. Mills
10. McCullum
11. Tuffey/McKay

That, to me, is the team for the World Cup.

[Athlai]

Styris and Taylor never seem keen to bat 3 but I'd really like if Piggo stood up and went for it. That is a good team PEWS and would be mine (with Franklin close to taking Oram/Elliott's spot depending on form).

[vcs]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

1. McCullum
2. Ryder
3. Styris
4. Taylor
5. Williamson
6. Elliott
7. Oram
8. Vettori
9. Mills
10. McCullum
11. Tuffey/McKay

That, to me, is the team for the World Cup.

This is good. I wouldn't worry too much about not being able to utilize McCullum as a finisher or a power-hitter, it is more important to take the initiative and set the tone for the innings at the top of the order in ODI cricket. Both Ryder and McCullum should fit the bill.

[Flem274*]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

1. McCullum
2. Ryder
3. Styris
4. Taylor
5. Williamson
6. Elliott
7. Oram
8. Vettori
9. Mills
10. McCullum
11. Tuffey/McKay

That, to me, is the team for the World Cup.

awta

[Somerset]

Originally Posted by vcs

This is good. I wouldn't worry too much about not being able to utilize McCullum as a finisher or a power-hitter, it is more important to take the initiative and set the tone for the innings at the top of the order in ODI cricket. Both Ryder and McCullum should fit the bill.

Agree with this post. Also think that PEWS' side looks the strongest we can field at full strength. Frankly if we've got allrounders with the hitting ability of Oram and Mills (and even the other McCullum) then I don't see the point demoting Brendon McCullum down the order and causing a new issue at the top of the order.

[irottev]

Originally Posted by vcs

This is good. I wouldn't worry too much about not being able to utilize McCullum as a finisher or a power-hitter, it is more important to take the initiative and set the tone for the innings at the top of the order in ODI cricket.

Initiative and McCullum don't go together. He shows none. Oh and Styris won't bat at 3. Taylor or Williamson can with Styris at 5.