Cricket: Cup selection a hairy situation

Anton Devcich took two wickets in his first nine balls as New Zealand squared their Twenty20 series against Pakistan. Photo / AFP

Anton Devcich, Dean Brownlie and Matt Henry are fringe players hoping to earn a place at next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.

Several New Zealand players can be inked into the World Cup squad for February. Some are still presenting their case.

Out of yesterday's 17-run win over Pakistan, which saw them square their Twenty20 series in Dubai, those who would fit the latter category include Anton Devcich, Dean Brownlie and Matt Henry.

Brownlie was distinctly unlucky to be given out lbw for 0 yesterday, the ball clearly sliding down the legside, and Henry picked up one handy wicket in his two overs.

Devcich, however, made a good case in a man-of-the-match performance.

The Northern Districts man made 21 off 20 balls, putting on 49 in seven overs opening with captain Kane Williamson and then, when handed the new ball, grabbed two wickets in his first nine deliveries with his flat left-arm spin. He finished with a fine two for 16 off four overs.

Devcich is also coming off a strong tour of the United Arab Emirates with New Zealand A. Talk about making the best of your chances.

"It was a good tour," he said of the New Zealand A series against the associate member countries preparing for the World Cup. "The conditions were similar to the ones we've faced in the last couple of days, so it prepared us well for that."

Devcich, who supplements his all-round skills with enthusiastic and impressive fielding allied to a strong throwing arm, knows nothing can be taken for granted but admits he's confident about what he can deliver.

"I've got nothing to lose, really. I'm here, playing good cricket so I have to go out and take each game as it comes, look to bat for long periods and hopefully the rewards will come."

Squaring the T20 series offered some insights ahead of the key five-game ODI series starting in Dubai on Tuesday morning (NZT).

Pakistan are an impressive short-form side. Only two players from the third test were in their T20 side - allrounder Mohammed Hafeez and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed - pointing to their strength in depth.

They won the first T20 match more comfortably than the final score suggested but, equally, were well beaten yesterday. New Zealand clinched the win with seven balls remaining.

Devcich appreciates the importance of the upcoming series, which is the last chance for New Zealand players to convince selectors Mike Hesson and Bruce Edgar to pick them before the final World Cup squad of 15 must be named early next month.

"I know where I sit with New Zealand cricket," Devcich said. "I've just got to put good performances on the board, put my best case forward in the next five games."

It's not like people can miss him. He sports a luxurious beard which makes him about the most distinctive player in the New Zealand domestic game.

It started out of a bet. A group of mates at a stag party decided to grow them for a year - time is up in February.

"It sounded a good idea after a few beers; maybe not so good now," Devcich quipped. "About eight of us started but there have been a few fallen soldiers.

"Four have given up purely because they can't grow beards or their partners didn't like it. There's still four good, strong ones left.

"I don't mind it, to be fair. It gets a bit annoying when you're eating at a restaurant because you get ice-cream or a bit of meat stuck in it."

So the beard may have some legs in it yet. What price it being on show during the World Cup?

The next five games against Pakistan could well have a say in that.