Now for the final part of my comments following this mis- match.....the NZ player 'performance'.
Jones confirms that he is better suited to the longer game, and Cumming is finding it tough against the pace of the Pakistani attack particularly when chasing. It is hoped that he will get further opportunities to set the pace & show what he is capable of, as in the 2 matches when batting 2nd the top order has failed in both their objectives of seeing off the opening attack & scoring runs.
Sinclair has also reverted to type and gone back into his shell having been exposed early - from comments made his footwork worries do not seem to have been rectified.
Marshall came into the squad as the batsman with the biggest question mark over his selection, and yet has established himself as the only batsman to put his hand up to date! Fair enough he was able to secure his maiden ODI ton by some generous Pakistani bowling selections in the final overs, but he has now scored 170+ runs in his maiden 3 ODI innings batting away from Home at 4 with only 1 dismissal against the likes of Ahktar, Sami, Kaneria & Razzaq!!! It makes a mockery of his domestic form and should open the door for other such players to be considered for selection - brother James????
On the down side Marshall's form actually creates more problems for the selectors than it solves, as his success at 4 does nothing to address the opener issue, with NZ already having an established & capable middle order from Astle at 3 to McMillan at 5. Should Cumming not make the grade, then the selectors are faced with either leaving Marshall out (which would be a travesty at this stage), or to throw him in as opener (a similar mistake as he is not the 'explosive' player they seemingly want), or to perhaps promote McCullum or even Styris to make way for Marshall in the middle / lower order.
If they are thinking along the lines of McCullum as opener again then they need to start using him there now for the last 2 games of this tour. The only reason I put forward Styris' name is that IMO he has a better defence than McMillan against the newer ball, and also has a calmer head on his shoulders & can play his shots. My real preference would be to see Astle partner Fleming, with the rest of the batting stepping up the order & Marshall introduced at 5 to begin with to get established in the team, b4 perhaps being looked at at 3 or 4 depending on what the lower order & tail selections are.
Regarding Astle & opening I wonder which strategy fits in with Bracewell's theory regarding team performance, and if he subscribes to the Astle at 3 theory will he be willing to modify the 'quick start' openers strategy to play a less 'explosive' player such as Styris to make way for Marshall in the team at Vincent's expense????
Mason & Walmsley have thus far failed as an opening attack as well as at the death. Unless the bowling pairing / roles are changed & we see an improvement then I think both can forget about further selections. Mason in particular has been disappointing considering he has been a fringe player for some time & his recent work at the Chennai clinic on sub continent conditions.
Walker has the best figures for any bowler thus far, but can consider himself thankfull for that last over. Cairns & Harris have shown little with the ball considering their experience. The fact that their figures are no better than the rest IMO underlines how poorly they are bowling.
Little can be said for the rest of the squad with Oram, Tuffey, Canning & Hitchcock not playing. Oram has been the most economical, and Tuffey has had a poor game for his one appearance thus far. However his TVS Cup form was steady if not spectacular. It is hoped that both he & Oram have learnt from their sub continent experience so far as their bowling craft is concerned. Little can be learnt from the exposure of Canning & Hitchcock to date.
If the selectors are true to current form we should see Walker, Mason & Walmsley droped for the next match. Hopefully Harris will be included in this group to allow the above quartet to all play, although I would keep Walker & drop Cairns - but that would be too much to expect.
