Cricket: Bates and Nethula to get chance

Michael Bates. File photo / Greg Bowker

Selector eyes are likely to be on Michael Bates and Tarun Nethula for different reasons as the pair prepare to make likely one-day international debuts against Zimbabwe tomorrow in Whangarei.

At 28, both players are part of coach John Wright's plan to develop depth, taking advantage of Zimbabwe as a weak international opponent.

As a left-arm option Bates probably ranks third behind Trent Boult and the April-qualified Neil Wagner in the international reckoning but has pushed past Andy McKay for now. In the HRV Cup he was the joint top wicket-taker with teammate Roneel Hira, securing 14 dismissals at 20.85. He will predominantly be seen as an international limited overs option.

With their renowned pace, Boult and Wagner appeal more as test bowlers because, as Bates admitted to the Herald on Sunday in January last year, he bowls "at the lower end of the 130km/h scale, so my lack of speed is something I'm constantly battling. I've been working with [former Olympic sprinter, now New Zealand strength and conditioning coach] Chris Donaldson on my run-up technique."

At that time, Bates acknowledged he would struggle to step into the international reckoning and could not make last year's 30-strong World Cup preliminary squad. However, circumstances have changed in Wright's mind.

Few players are more worthy of a chance to showcase their talents at a higher level, with Bates having been a stalwart at provincial level for years. He was the winner of the 2009-10 overall domestic MVP and has a knack for bowling convincing spells at the death to help Auckland excel in recent seasons.

Bates benefited from learning off New Zealand bowlers like Andre Adams, Kyle Mills, Chris Martin and Daryl Tuffey in the Auckland squad after debuting in 2003-04. He has taken on more responsibility in recent seasons with the various absences of that quartet.

In contrast, Nethula is viewed as a reinforcement and possible long-term replacement for Daniel Vettori in tests, overleaping Jeetan Patel in the reckoning. Tomorrow's ODI represents a chance on an insulated 10-over scale to see whether the Central Districts leg-spinner's rip passes muster, given a test spin bowling succession plan is one of New Zealand's biggest medium-term problems.

Nethula has taken 16 wickets at an average of 19.62 in the Plunket Shield. He generates plenty of top and side spin but, like many leg-spinners, can be vulnerable to inconsistency in his efforts to get more revolutions on the ball.

Patience, tenacity and attack tend to be a leg spinner's watchwords - not an ideal marriage in the limited overs game - but given stand-in captain Brendon McCullum's penchant for aggression Nethula will know he should get a decent chance to present his case. If successful, Nethula will be a candidate to get a test run later in the summer against South Africa and during the year on spin conducive pitches in the West Indies, India and Sri Lanka.