Cricket: Three selection options for NZ to replace Jimmy Neesham

The Black Caps will have to make a tough decision to decide who to replace Jimmy Neesham with. Photo / Getty

New Zealand have some head scratching ahead of choosing their XI for the second test against Australia starting in Perth on Friday.

Captain Brendon McCullum made it clear after the 208-run loss at the Gabba today, he favours just one change, but who to replace the injured Jimmy Neesham with?

Three possibilities:

1: On the assumption Tim Southee is selected, bring in a fourth specialist seamer, most likely Matt Henry, but with replacement left armers Neil Wagner and Mitchell McClenaghan also chances. That would give fast-medium cover should Southee's back injury flare up.

Upside? Good seam bowling depth in conditions likely to favour them in Perth.
Downside? A lengthy batting tail, with Mark Craig certainly a place too high at No 7.

2: Take a punt that Southee will get through the test untroubled and play a better batsman to replace Neesham. That also follows the argument that if three seamers can't do the job, four are unlikely to make a difference. In that scenario, there's a solid case for including Luke Ronchi as the wicketkeeper, with BJ Watling to bat at No 6, where he should be anyway.

Upside? It won't hurt the batting depth. Indeed Ronchi's batting at his old stamping ground in Perth might be a good card to play.
Downside? Fiddling about with Watling's role, considering his importance to the New Zealand team.

3: Go for broke and hand a debut to spinning allrounder Mitchell Santner. His promise is high. Bat him at either 6 or 7, to give New Zealand five bowlers, covering left and right arm swing, off and left arm spin.

Upside? Plenty of bowling options, and playing a hunch that Santner, tipped to become a batting, rather than bowling allrounder in time, can deliver.
Downside? A big gamble in a clutch game with a young man starting out on his career, and opens a potential risk to the attack if things go pear-shaped with Southee, leaving just two seamers.