Cricket: Wilson proves a triumph for Bracewell

The prospect of a total recall for dual international Jeff Wilson has never looked brighter.

The Otago allrounder not only proved he was up to speed during the three one-dayers against the World XI, he looked as if he'd never been out of the international arena - and certainly not for 12 years.

His solid performance must have come as a tonic for coach John Bracewell, especially given the back injuries suffered by Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori.

With Australia's one-day side less than a month away from arriving in New Zealand, Wilson's effort has placed him among the most probable contenders and it would be a surprise if he wasn't in the squad.

New Zealand are already without seasoned all-rounder Chris Harris, and the likelihood of losing Oram and Vettori means Bracewell will need to find replacements who can bowl 10 overs, and lend a hand with the bat. Early indications are that he might move Brendon McCullum up to No 7, so that he can fit Tama Canning in at No 8 and offer himself some options over Wilson, Adams, Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey and Paul Wiseman.

Whatever he decides, the dilemma is a triumph for Bracewell, who was accused of pulling a publicity stunt, on the grounds that Wilson had insufficient form to justify inclusion.

At the time Bracewell begged to differ, insisting that selections should take more into account than mere statistical analysis.

He pointed to the inclusion of Northern Districts batsman Hamish Marshall as a similar situation, in that the little right-hander had no domestic form to speak of, but was now proving one of the ODI side's most productive run-scorers.

Bracewell said there were a host of factors that influenced a player's potential such as big-match temperament, decision-making and intelligence and aptitude.

"If it was just a matter of interpreting statistics we could do without selectors," he said this week, "We'd just need calculators." Criticism directed at him over Wilson's selection, and the constant questioning of the Otago player's credentials, had reminded him of the blunders made by the England selectors in the late 1980s and early-1990s.

Bracewell was, of course, thinking of those bewildering days when the England hierarchy saw fit to drop at one time or another world-class players such as Allan Lamb, Robin Smith, Mike Gatting, David Gower and Graham Gooch.

Wilson had some teething problems in the first match against the World XI, but bowled tidily at Wellington and was one of the New Zealand bowlers able to fully exploit the vagaries of the Hamilton pitch.

He also showed his value in the field, taking excellent catches at both Wellington and Hamilton, and looked a worthy-enough batsman to be used at No 9 in the ODI arena.

As a rival for Adams, he appears a more steady operator with the ball and offers a similar influence with the bat and in the field.

In terms of a head-to-head with Canning, there is hardly any comparison, the Auckland all-rounder batting higher than Wilson in the order and offering far less pace at the bowling crease.

It only remains to be seen whether Wilson can remain fit, and whether Oram and Vettori remain on the injury-list.

Wilson's record against World XI
5 wickets for 60 off 19 overs