Cricket: Bustler gives panel food for thought

Hamish Bennett of the Blackcaps. Photo / Supplied

Hamish Bennett will tax the touring selectors more than most when it comes to picking the Black Caps opening XI at the World Cup for the game against Kenya a week today.

This will be the team charged with winning New Zealand's first game on the subcontinent in 12 attempts, not to mention setting up for a crucial match with Australia late next Friday night (NZT).

While most spots sort themselves, Bennett's performance with the ball in the one-day series against Pakistan was a highlight and demands consideration. His bustling force complements Kyle Mills and Tim Southee, who can swing the ball early. If Mills or Southee stay, Jacob Oram appears the logical player to miss out, despite showing form.

It would be a tough call to deny Bennett. He ran in and delivered with the rhythm, intensity and demeanour of an Olympic javelin thrower and was rewarded with 11 wickets at 20.90; the best of the New Zealand team in a losing series. With pace brushing the early 140km/h bracket as well as a handy slower ball, he is putting pressure on more than just opposition batsmen.

Captain Daniel Vettori is understood to be keen to back Mills' experience but rated Bennett a suitable first change against Pakistan. It will be interesting to see how coach John Wright, Vettori and presumably vice-captain Ross Taylor elect to go without the selectors looking over their shoulders.

New Zealand's last genuine fast bowler, Shane Bond, can understand Vettori's thinking: "You have to look at what Kyle has achieved over a long period. If it comes down to choosing one of two seamers, I'm picking it'd be out of Tim and Hamish.

"Kyle has not been in the best form but he got back near it over the series while they gave Tim and Hamish more experience. This tournament has been a long time in the making for Kyle; he feels he has a massive job to do. Tim might have an edge because he's been outstanding most of the summer when he puts it [the ball] up there to swing."

But Bond is reluctant to see Bennett's influence wasted: "Hamish is more of a bounce bowler than a swing bowler but he now has some experience on the subcontinent. He knows the need for variations.

"His slower ball out of the back of the hand has been outstanding so far but it would almost pay to develop one that is easier for batsmen to see [as a decoy]. Most teams haven't seen him, so that could also be an advantage.

"It [the slower ball] always comes out of the hand all right," Bennett says. "I just don't use it enough. Ross Taylor and Allan Donald are telling me to use it more and vary it with pace to make batsmen work harder. But trying to hit the bat hard is important, too."

Bennett has attempted to glean as much as he can from new bowling coach Donald, especially on the subject of reverse swing.

"Allan is big into it and we've focused on it during a series of trainings. The ball will rip up more in those middle overs, so we've got to find a way to utilise that option."

Bennett has also been looking at how he handles the heat. Last time in India, he was invalided out of his debut test with a groin strain. He has been wary of extending himself since. "Coming back to domestic cricket was tough. I was nervous getting through games but now I have played 10 since the injury, so I have gathered some confidence."