KEY POINTS:
Those players named yesterday for New Zealand's first two ODIs against the West Indies would be advised to keep their guard up.
The 13 announced for matches in the South Island this week will be put on notice of what is expected from them.
"We are all fans
for keeping things as competitive as possible," New Zealand selection panel manager Glenn Turner said of his fellow selectors John Wright and Dion Nash last night.
"No one should be that comfortable because it's our belief you don't perform at your best if you're too comfortable."
Two players have clearly been picked on what they have done in the past, Jamie How and allrounder Grant Elliott.
How regained some form with a brisk half century in the second innings of the second test at Napier before Christmas.
But his ODI record is reasonable, an average of 36.12 from 28 games, including a rapid 73 in his most recent innings, in the third and final ODI in Bangladesh in October.
In those three games he batted No 3 behind Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum, the first choice limited-overs opening pair. But others fancy that job, notably Ross Taylor. Whether How can find a spot in the top three is debatable.
Elliott's test career is probably over after failing badly in his two chances at Napier and Brisbane this year, but he's a handy one-day player.
His three innings in England this year were all contributors to New Zealand pulling off three straight wins to clinch the series - his 54 at Bristol in game three rescued New Zealand from 42 for four; his 24, before being controversially run out after colliding with bowler Ryan Sidebottom, pushed New Zealand close to victory at The Oval in the fourth; and his rapid 23 not out helped set up a 71-run win at Lord's in the decider.
Turner said Elliott would be vying with new face Neil Broom for the No 7 job.
"Broom is a clean hitter and has impressed us in that regard, whereas Elliott has done a good job when he's come in and we have been in trouble," Turner said.
"Elliott seems to have a good cricketing mind as to how to work it out, whether to push the ball about or get after it."
He also offers a mediumpace bowling option, should Jacob Oram be restricted to a batting-only role with his calf injury on the mend.
If Broom is preferred, it could mean more bowling for the useful Ryder. It's a case of what captain Dan Vettori wants from his bowling options and the selectors have given him plenty to cogitate over.
Broom, for whom Scott Styris' broken thumb at Eden Park on Boxing Day opened up an opportunity, has gone about his cricket under the radar for the last couple of seasons, quietly accumulating good runs.
He impressed important eyes on Emerging Players and New Zealand A trips to Australia and India this year.
Ewen Thompson, given his first chance in last night's second Twenty20 international, is not in the squad, but Turner confirmed he got plenty of air time round the selection table.
"He came into the reckoning but it gets down to who do you drop. It's pretty tough to drop any of the others. But he has done well in limited-overs as well as Twenty20."
Translation: if others trip up in the first two ODIs, he might yet get his chance later in the series.
James Franklin gets a break for at least the early part of the series.
The other three ODIs are in Wellington on January 7, Auckland on January 10 and Napier on January 13.
ODI SQUAD
New Zealand ODI squad for first two matches against the West Indies:
Wednesday: Queenstown
Saturday: Christchurch
Dan Vettori (c), Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum, Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Daniel Flynn, Neil Broom, Jacob Oram, Grant Elliott, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel, Mark Gillespie.
