Cricket: Changes unlikely for one-day internationals

By Terry Maddaford

Early-round Shell Cup matches have been little help to the New Zealand selectors who will name their team for the one-day internationals against India at the end of the third test in Hamilton.

While most players in the test squad seem likely to retain their places, the selectors would have been happier if some real pressure had been exerted by those outside the international arena.

Chris Harris is a certainty to join the Black Caps for the one-dayers, which start with Saturday's day-night clash in Taupo.

In three Cup outings, Harris has scored 4, 19 and 107 for 130 runs at an average of 43.33. He has also picked up four wickets at 24.5 and conceded 98 runs at 3.26 an over.

Wellington allrounder Richard Petrie, who has played 12 one-day internationals but none in recent times, has the best bowling figures so far with seven wickets at 8.00 and an economy rate of 2.73. He has also scored 87 runs at 29.00.

But the search for an opening batsman, should the selectors decide to rest Matthew Bell, is the most interesting.

Craig Spearman, who led the first-class averages after Conference cricket with 436 runs at 48.44 - which included a century and three half-centuries - cannot buy a run in the Cup, with just 18 from three innings.

Bryan Young might force the selector's hand in their search for Matt Horne's opening partner. After a first-ball duck in his first Cup outing for Auckland,
Young has scored 94 not out, 25 and 34 for 153 runs at 51. Blair Pocock, slightly better with 163 at 54.33, is not an option, however, as he struggles with a groin injury.

The outsider might be Northern Districts' Michael Parlane, who has managed 141 runs, including one half-century, at an average of 35.25.

The only players besides Young and Pocock with an average of better than 50 are Otago captain Robbie Lawson (120 at 60) and Auckland allrounder Aaron Barnes (140 in three innings at 70.00).

Promoted Wellington opener and wicketkeeper Chris Nevin has 135 at 45. He joins Robbie Hart and Jason Mills in pressing claims should Adam Parore's position behind the stumps come under scrutiny.

The bowlers have struggled too. Left-arm spinners Matt Hart and Mark Haslam have been the most successful bowlers with nine wickets each from four outings.
Haslam has taken his wickets at a cost of 14.44 and had an economy rate of 3.61, while Hart's wickets have cost 16.22 at 3.94 runs an over.

Of the medium-pace bowlers likely to be considered, Shayne O'Connor has five wickets at 20.6 and a 3.61 economy rate, Robert Kennedy five at 16.6 and 3.69, Alex Tait four at 31.75 and 3.73, Chris Drum seven at 22.85 and 4.30, and Andrew Penn two at 53.5 and 4.11.

Changes are hard to see, given the modest efforts so far. After three completed rounds - Auckland and Northern Districts have already played their game in the split sixth round - the Cup race remains tight.

P W L Pts

N Districts 4 2 2 4

Auckland 4 2 2 4

Canterbury 3 2 1 4

Wellington 3 2 1 4

C Districts 3 1 2 2

Otago 3 1 2 2

Fourth round (Friday): Canterbury v Auckland, Christchurch; Northern Districts v Otago, Gisborne; Wellington v Central Districts, Wellington.