Mark Richardson: Gutsy win a timely boost

Quite frankly I find it hard to take the two Twenty20 internationals between the Black Caps and Pakistan overly seriously. I know we're right in the middle of the T20 revolution but it is pure entertainment, hit and miss, our team is seriously injury-affected right now and emotionally it does not elicit the same response in me that the ODIs still do.

I was thrilled with the Black Caps' performance in the ODIs and they should have been too. Given the events of the past few weeks, the result in the first match - when the Black Caps were soundly beaten - could have left the team a shambles with no coach, no direction, and no public acceptance. Yet, clearly Daniel Vettori can motivate and control this team and the turnaround to win 2-1 was superb.

Let's not overlook that Pakistan cricket are in the middle of political upheaval with a dissatisfied captain, a reported player revolt and that both teams are the most Jekyll and Hyde in world cricket.

The way Vettori marshalled his troops was impressive but does not suggest to me the coach-less status quo should be persevered with. Vettori will burn out under the current conditions and I feel he needs a coach of adequate tactical expertise to bounce ideas off.

It would be unwise to rush someone in for the test series against Pakistan and Vettori should be able to manage things past the Bangladesh series but for Australia he needs top level support.

The most encouraging thing to come out of the ODI series was Brendon McCullum's batting. I had called for him to be dropped down the order but in no way had said he was not capable of the sort of performances he offered in games two and three. He has now signed the lease for the opening spot for a while now and I hope we will see some more consistency. If we do, then we have a top order in ODI cricket to be excited about.

McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and Grant Elliot make great reading. Ryder is one of the most promising players I've seen for some time, Guptill is proving to be a consistent performer, Taylor is maturing and Elliott has one of the best heads in the game. It is a top order that could develop into a consistent selection, bring stability and consistent performance.

McCullum is the key. If he can move past being a quick twenties man, then the top order will begin to operate in the fashion it should.

Issues still remain with the death bowling. Shane Bond is not what he once was but is still more than adequate; Kyle Mills is obviously high-class and Tim Southee looks like the layoff has done him some good.

But these three look far and away more impressive early in the innings. Vettori continues to take wickets in the middle but if a batting team can attack later in an innings we look vulnerable. But right now this team has earned their fourth place ODI ranking.