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While Mathew Sinclair and Matthew Bell wrestle with their batting demons, a closely fought test cricket series with England appears to have settled the future of two other candidates auditioning for New Zealand's top order.
Although there is still one test to play with the scores tied at
1-1, Jamie How and Ross Taylor can reflect on their contributions in the first two tests which should ensure their presence in the return tour to England which starts late next month.
The Central Districts pairing return to McLean Park for the series decider from Saturday - a home ground that has already harboured highlights of their brief careers.
Taylor made his maiden one-day century, an unbeaten 128, against Sri Lanka last summer while How's first ODI hundred was more recent, 139 from England's attack during the thrilling tied one-dayer on February 20.
How was recalled to the test side after a hesitant start to that component of his career on the back of that innings, while Taylor was also welcomed back to the fold after a debut series in South Africa netted just 44 runs at 11.00 - output that saw him overlooked for the January romp over Bangladesh.
Both have justified their recalls - How made 92 in his first innings back in Hamilton while Taylor trumped him with 120, his maiden test century and the first by a Black Caps' specialist batsman since Stephen Fleming's 262 in Cape Town two years ago.
How made only seven and eight runs in the second test at the Basin Reserve but his test average is on the upswing from 14.55 after six tests to 21.30.
Taylor's has rocketed from 11 to a respectable 34.75 in four innings, thanks to the century and back-to-back fifties (53 and 55) in Wellington.
Although criticised for not building a big score after two solid starts, Taylor's form has been a relief considering Stephen Fleming is about to retire and the test format no longer interests Scott Styris.
Throw in Jesse Ryder's self-destructive tendencies plus Peter Fulton's fluctuating form and the New Zealand batting unit was looking decidedly fragile until How and Taylor emerged.
New Zealand coach John Bracewell admitted a cohesive batting unit remained a work in progress though How and Taylor were evidence of steps being made in the right direction.
"Jamie How has done some really good work, technically with (batting coach) Mark O'Neill, he's playing a lot straighter.
"Ross Taylor has adjusted from Twenty20 `whack across the line' to playing quite deadly straight.
"Ross and Jamie have been a pleasant surprise to the public but not necessarily to us because we've seen the work that's been going on behind the scenes. I think there's some good movement forward."
Taylor is the most prolific batsman on either side so far with 234 runs at 58.50. England's Paul Collingwood is his closest challenger with 192.
Bracewell also went in to bat for Bell and Sinclair who were retained after recording their first double figure scores of the series in New Zealand's second innings on Sunday.
"There are options open to us but we want to give these guys a decent chance," Bracewell said.
"We need to make sure they are the right or not the right people before you start the revolving door.
"The feedback from the (other) selectors was they'd like to continue with the same unit and have some continuity."
Sinclair, who has been in and out and in again on numerous occasions since his double century on debut against the West Indies eight years ago, received a vote of confidence despite his 39 being ended by a loose shot.
"I was pleased with Mathew's approach," Bracewell said.
"He made a couple of mistakes but that's a harsh reality of test cricket. I think his intent was good and I expect him to get runs in this test."
England's much-vaunted top order hasn't exactly fired either with their only century coming from wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose who bats at seven.
Kevin Pietersen is the most obvious non-performer, his highest score on tour is 53 against an Invitation 11 in Dunedin before the tests.
England coach Peter Moores also said no changes were contemplated, so Owais Shah should continue to carry the drinks.
- NZPA
