Cricket: New talent gives Black Caps options

Tom Latham howed signs of being a potentially devastating innings closer for the Black Caps. Photo / Getty Images

Now the extended net session that was the one-day series against Zimbabwe is in the rearview mirror, it's almost time for the real competition to start.

New Zealand scored 993 runs in three matches against Zimbabwe, sweeping the series by a combined margin of 433 runs. But, after the two Twenty20s, starting in Auckland tomorrow night, Zimbabwe are heading home to be replaced by their far superior African neighbours.

South Africa, ranked inside the top four in all formats, play New Zealand in three T20s, thee one-dayers and three tests, commencing with the hit-and-giggle on February 17.

Instead of Brian Vitori and his third ODI figures of 1-105 (second-worst in history), the Black Caps' batsmen will be facing Dale Steyn (No 1 in test cricket). Instead of the matches being all-but over at halftime, there will probably be some closer contests. And South Africa can catch, too.

The New Zealand public - apathetic about the Zimbabwe tour, as evidenced by fewer than 2000 people turning up to McLean Park last night (Thu) - will finally get a chance to see if the home team are really in form or whether that was a mirage fashioned through Zimbabwe's inferiority.

If the answer to that question is the latter, for once New Zealand have some reinforcements waiting in the wings. Four players made their international debuts during the one-day series, and their emergence gives the side some genuine options when it comes to team selection.

Brendon McCullum even called it a selection headache, and that's one particular ailment the Black Caps haven't often suffered from in years previous.

"I think that's a good problem," McCullum said. "Maybe in the past we've been a little bit barren of players - now we're starting to see guys who are capable."

Tom Latham showed signs of being a potentially devastating innings closer and Andrew Ellis proved himself adept with both bat and ball. Michael Bates offers a left-arm seam option and Tarun Nethula gives New Zealand something they've been bereft of for 10 years - a leg-spinner.

All were handed opportunities after impressing for their provinces, and McCullum said translating domestic form onto the international stage was the key behind their success.

"We've seen guys in the past who've come into international cricket and almost played a different role to what they got picked for. That was one of the big things that Wrighty (coach John Wright) and I discussed, making sure the guys who are going to get opportunities for the first time this series were still able to play in familiar positions.

"We're pretty pleased with their contributions, and also pleased with the experienced guys as well. I think they've all stepped up. The experience and the inexperience has been a pretty good balance."

McCullum said, while the experienced players would be relied on in the South Africa series, the deeper pool of talent meant any drop in standards could be followed by a drop from the team.

"The guys who've been there and done it time and time again will probably still get the opportunities first, but they know that they're going to have some people not too far away over their shoulder as well. That should push their performance up."

The performance from the whole side will need to be raised significantly against South Africa, a fact McCullum was cognisant of.

"I expect our team to raise the bar. I expect us to be up for the fight when South Africa arrive and we've just got to make sure we rise to the occasion when they do put us under pressure."