Cricket: Senior batsmen respond to cull

QUEENSTOWN - New Zealand's top-order batsmen should at least now have a better grasp of Newton's laws of motion. Startled to find one of their number culled from the squad on Saturday, the senior-most batsmen responded with energy during the opening one-dayer, laying the framework for a comfortable 81-run win over the West Indies.

The comprehensive result followed coach John Bracewell's decision to jettison batsman Lou Vincent from the squad of 13, to include rookie opener Jamie How and a sixth bowler in Nathan Astle.

How and Astle responded with an opening stand of 136 as New Zealand amassed 288 for nine batting first, and then worked tirelessly in the field as the West Indies were bowled out for a disappointing 207 - their 14th loss in their past 16 completed ODIs.

But it was the treatment meted out to Vincent that came as a bigger surprise on the night; the in-form right-hander being sacrificed chiefly because of the absence (through retirement and injury) of all-rounders Chris Cairns and Jacob Oram. Without that pair, Bracewell was forced to include another specialist bowler, an action that caused an equal and opposite reaction at the top of the batting order.

The principle is likely to again hold true on Wednesday when the teams square off in the second ODI at Queenstown, although New Zealand have been sending out mixed messages about their intentions.

Skipper Stephen Fleming, who proved a revelation at No 3 with 55 off 48 balls, said that there were "directives and things" that the selectors had handed down, and some of the likely changes would "raise eyebrows".

And Astle refused to accept that his innings-shaping 90 off 106 balls would assure him of reselection on Wednesday, suggesting that no one's place could be guaranteed as the selectors considered their options. However, Bracewell was far more conservative when the team arrived at Queenstown yesterday afternoon, saying that it wasn't cut and dried that New Zealand would change much at all, considering the state of the series.

He said there was some doubt over the fitness of paceman Michael Mason, who made an impressive comeback at the Cake Tin, but was loath to confirm that there were any changes in the air, whether they involved the playing 11 or the batting order.

"At this stage we're not necessarily going to experiment with, or rejig anything," said Bracewell. "We're just continuing our programme of trying to develop a strong, and honest-performing squad."

Mason has struggled with side strains and back problems throughout the season and was forced to pass a fitness test on Saturday morning before being cleared to play, a process that Bracewell said cemented the deal for Astle.

Curiously, he intimated that Astle - a long-serving utility player - had been in a head-to-head battle for selection with Vincent, and that How was always going to be played.

The West Indies were in immediate trouble at 14 for two at the start of the chase, and - although buoyed by solid contributions from Daren Ganga, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Smith - were eventually dismissed with two and a half overs remaining.

Not only was the loss the Windies' 14th in 16th completed games, it was also the tenth occasion in that period that they had fallen short during a second-innings chase; including seven of their eight previous ODIs.

Apart from Mason, a feature of New Zealand's effort in the field was the performance of left-armer Daniel Vettori and his spin-twin Jeetan Patel, both of whom suffocated the West Indians through the middle and final stages.

Vettori's control was sublime, the New Zealand vice-captain picking up two for 29, while Patel proved the consummate supersub with two wickets, a catch and a run-out.

A West Indian spokesman yesterday said that all-rounder Dawyne Bravo, who missed the first one-dayer with a side-strain and bout of 'flu, remained doubtful but would be monitored over the next couple of days.