Mark Richardson: Mills move was worth the risk

In difficult conditions, the Black Caps took a punt when they promoted Kyle Mills into the No 3 position. It didn't work, thus exposing managements' necks, but I for one thought it was a good piece of improvisation and would have even gone a step further and had James Franklin follow Mills.

They are players with able technique and survival for 10 or more overs against the new ball in that second innings would have done a great job in protecting the middle order, which is where New Zealand's strength lies, and the chase would have been won.

In fact, the wealth of middle order strength is so great that to fit all our best players in, we have to turn middle-order players into openers.

It was always going to be tough on Peter Fulton and Hamish Marshall but the team wasn't picked with the knowledge of the nightmarish batting conditions. If this is the combination John Bracewell wants, it must be given time.

Consistency is hard to develop, especially when you go in first against fresh bowling and the new ball, but the job is to protect the strength of the team [middle order]. If you fail, your position will always be more precarious than those you are trusted to protect.

We have experienced openers - at least at first-class level - waiting in the wings in Jamie How and Michael Papps but, if Marshall and Fulton are seen as better players, then regardless of how they go on this tour they must begin to open at all levels or this cycle of chopping and changing will only continue.

I had no problem with bolstering the protection crew with tailenders but the problem is that New Zealand felt they needed to take a punt like that - rather than trust in their existing skills in difficult and demanding situations.

Truth be told, the Black Caps were not too far off the pace and got themselves into positions to take control of the match but were unable to. South Africa was just that little bit more battle hardened.

They were more precise under pressure, which is not surprising given they have just completed a torrid series against Australia. New Zealand, on the other hand, has come from two tests against a sloppy opposition [West Indies].

But how can New Zealand sharpen their skills quickly when they have no tour match in the eight day break between tests?

How can Hamish Marshall consolidate the time he spent in the middle in the last game and grow as an opener or how can How or Papps force a place based on form? Everyone could do with game time against worthy opposition.

At times, net training over game time can be beneficial but in this case I believe game time should be the priority. It is the battle-hardened who should be skilled enough to see it out to the end.

I shall be watching the Black Caps' approach to their net training with interest.