Cricket: Latham's elevation won't change battle for No5

Left-hander Tom Latham takes Kane Williamson's No3 batting spot for today's ODI . Photo / Getty Images

Don't read much into Tom Latham's promotion into Kane Williamson's No3 batting spot for today's ODI against Sri Lanka at Seddon Park.

Williamson is out for at least the next two matches in the seven-match series to rest a wonky shoulder.

Such is Williamson's form that he leaves a substantial hole in the New Zealand batting order. Lefthander Latham gets the job for today, but it won't change the essence of his battle for the No5 position with veteran Grant Elliott.

"I think it's probably a good thing," senior batsman Ross Taylor said, without wishing any malice towards Williamson. "Kane has been the go-to guy for the last 12-18 months. They want to see these guys under pressure and that bodes well for the World Cup."

Elliott wasn't in Hamilton yesterday, due to a family health matter, and is unlikely to play today - although last night it had not been completely ruled out.

A New Zealand Cricket spokesman said no replacement player had been sought.

Unfortunate as that would be for Elliott as he tries to cement a place in the middle order, it offers New Zealand the chance to experiment with five specialist bowlers.

Wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi would be promoted to No6 and allrounder Corey Anderson shuffled up to No5 if New Zealand play three fast-medium bowlers plus two spinners.

Taylor remarked yesterday that if both spinners, Nathan McCullum and Dan Vettori, were to play, it would not necessarily be due to the perceived state of the Seddon Park pitch.

The three seamers used in the opening three-wicket win in Christchurch on Sunday - Adam Milne, Trent Boult and Mitchell McClenaghan - all impressed. Tim Southee and Kyle Mills won't be available until later in the series but World Cup backup Matt Henry is with the squad and might get a run.

Sri Lanka had hoped to have key seamer Lasith Malinga available late in the series, as he recovers from an ankle injury. However, captain Angelo Mathews said yesterday it's unlikely Malinga will play before the World Cup.

He has an open mind on a preferred XI for the World Cup opener against New Zealand on February 14 in Christchurch. "We've got to adapt ourselves to conditions," he said.

Today's teams

New Zealand: (from) Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Dan Vettori, Adam Milne, Mitch McClenaghan, Trent Boult, Matt Henry.
Sri Lanka: (from) Angelo Mathews (c), Tillekaratne Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath.