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Home / Sport

Cricket: Top six best for now, but they'll have to earn it

By David Leggat
Reporter·NZ Herald·
16 Dec, 2011 04:30 PM5 mins to read

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Jesse Ryder. Photo / Getty Images

Jesse Ryder. Photo / Getty Images

An hour after New Zealand's remarkable seven-run win over Australia this week and John Wright was already thinking ahead.

The coach and selector made the point after his young team had produced a completely unexpected volte face in terms of quality, skill and fight to level the two-match series at Hobart's Bellerive Oval that more can be learned about players in times of victory than defeat.

"You've got to sit back and think about that. You always think 'how the hell can we get better'," Wright said.

So the idea that everyone is safe after a test win needs a good shake, and Wright sounds open minded on the idea of change.

It would be easy to say "stay as you are lads" before the one-off test against Zimbabwe late next month in Napier.

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It may be that that is precisely what happens, with the exception of allrounder Dan Vettori returning for a seamer.

But the positives out of Hobart should not disguise the fact that there are hard questions ahead for Wright, particularly among the batsmen.

He admitted as much after the test.

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Although pleased with the outcome and the character shown by his players, Wright made it clear they can't sit back on their chuffs and think they're safe.

This test has to be a plank taking them forward, and his attention is likely to focus more on the batsmen.

Zimbabwe are next up and a chance to get softer runs than were on offer in Australia.

There is also the issue of no more first-class cricket until the South Africans arrive in mid-February.

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How can Wright make valid assessments on a 22-ball 35 for Auckland against Otago during the HRV Cup in terms of test readiness? He can't, and he knows it.

But he wants players to be pressing for inclusion. He doesn't want cosiness among his players.

The series has thrown up big pluses in batsman Dean Brownlie and young fast-medium pair Trent Boult and, especially, Doug Bracewell, with his terrific match haul of nine for 60 at Hobart.

Overall, the players, public and Wright are right to be far more positive about the home international campaign, and especially its feature event, the South Africans, than may have been the case halfway through the Australian test series.

So who will be under scrutiny? Jesse Ryder for a start.

He is the most gifted of the top six batsmen but his numbers of late tell a tale.

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He averaged 12 in four tests this year. What's more, the manner of his dismissal in three of his four innings in Australia cast serious doubt on his ability to concentrate and assess situations. That's where Wright needs to focus his attention.

Take out his 601 runs at 60.1 in six tests against India in often benign batting conditions, and Ryder is averaging 31 from 12 tests.

In three of his four innings in Australia - he was unlucky with an lbw decision in the first innings at Hobart - Ryder was reckless.

Kane Williamson batted at No 3 in the first test, then swapped with Ryder for the second.

Wright admitted it was partly to protect Williamson in seriously challenging batting conditions, and put extra responsibility on Ryder's broad shoulders.

Williamson made important second innings runs, but got out to a poor shot in the first over of the penultimate day.

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He is safe, is the future, and wants to be No 3 long term.

Martin Guptill as an opener?

Since his debut two years ago, Guptill averages 33.24 overall, 26.22 as an opener, with one century - no disrespect, but it was Zimbabwe - and two fifties in 22 innings at the top.

Should Guptill be dropped down the order?

His flypaper hands at slip are a real asset, sorting out his best position is the issue.

Brendon McCullum, the public's favourite whipping boy, still averages 42.42 opening, but has scored 88 runs in his last six innings at 14.

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Leave Brownlie at No 6 while he establishes himself in the setup, having made a really encouraging start.

Wright has made it clear players are permanently on notice; that this should be no closed shop.

It hints at a maturing of thinking. Whether the time is right for adjustments is one thing; just the fact that Wright's sole aim is bettering the test side is encouraging for those knocking on the door.

The problem is that no batsman was sitting at home watching the Australian series on TV who could put their hand up and say, with real conviction, 'I should be there'.

The top six are the best men for the job, for now.

But best keep a close eye on who is making runs, or not making them in the next few weeks, because Wright has made it clear he's not running a holiday camp. Performance matters.

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