It seems to me that the NZL lineup has for years been dominated by selections with a bowling background, which would seem to fly in the face of everyone else - and this IMO puts too much emphasis on the lower order & tail to contribute runs on a regular basis.............
While this may lend the perception that NZL bats further down the order than most other teams, the reality is that the averages of the specialist batsmen are generally lower than their intnl counterparts, and those of the lower order & tail are no better than their counterparts, or at least not significantly so, while most of those players with an average approaching 40 odd are relatively new to the scene & have yet to perhaps establish the consistency to go with their average............
While the likes of Styris, Oram, McCullum & Vettori are seemingly improving their contributions / averages, my concern has been that the majority of the side are too free in their approach to batting, and lack the batting background / technique to have the necessary discipline required in certain circumstances let alone in building partnerships.............
Too often there has been a perception of brittleness from #4 down due to a lack of consistancy and this has contributed to a number of dramatic collapses & losses that may otherwise have been avoided - IMO the PAK, RSA & ENG series results could have been different had the batting been stronger, not just in selection ratio but also so far as technique / background goes and mix of styles of batsmen..........
McCullum may be an exception to this, but is only a recent addition to the side and batting at #7 the damage has usually been done prior to his arrival at the crease as too often the Top & Middle orders fail to contribute as a unit.........
Whilst it may be true that you need to take 20 wickets to win a match, firstly you must be able to post a total large enough to enable you to have the time to do so. How much time you need is largely determined by the strength of your bowling attack - genuine wicket taking bowlers as opposed to containment / attrition type bowlers.
Fleming's 'advance the game' strategy was an acknowledgement that the NZL bowling lacks genuine penetration & thus requires more time in order to bowl sides out. Where it 'failed' IMO was in the makeup of the batting in order to be able to execute the strategy - both in genuine batting depth & player mix.
IMO NZL need to bite the bullet & overhaul the side from top to bottom. For me I would like to see:
*a 6-4 ratio, with Oram 1 of the 4 bowling options as opposed to being an 'allrounder', as IMO he does not have the consistency as yet to carry that tag;
*McCullum would still bat at #7, but would be able to work with the batting lineup as most other intnl 'keepers do;
*A selection policy for the batting lineup based upon roles in the lineup, primarily with the view of being able to build partnerships from the top of the order - esp the ability to rotate the strike;
*A selection policy for the bowling attack to be able to provide variation to the standard RMF both in pace & line of attack, and persistance with selections;
*An acknowledgement the NZL does not have the resources available to other sides &;
*That domestic pitch conditions are primarily foreign to overseas conditions regarding pace, bounce & turn & as such are less than what is experienced overseas, &;
*Consequently a somewhat of a 'horses for courses' selection regarding both bowlers and batsmen so as to select side better suited to those conditions to be faced;
*A better utilisation of 'A' tours when considering prospective player selection for upcoming senior tours re the above;
*A strong push to have a side in the AUS domestic comps, as opposed to having players go the ENG in the off season.
Appolgies for the rant.............