Mark Richardson: My verdict for World Cup squad

Dean Brownlie should continue opening against Sri Lanka. Photo / Yasir Nisar

Stage one of World Cup preparations is over and a series win in Pakistan-friendly conditions was a good result.

As far as competition for places goes, it was a crucial tour because the 15 for the World Cup must be selected by January 7, before the seven ODIs against Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan series will help with selection for the playing XI but this tour was a trial of great significance.

We're in good shape, although there's plenty of head scratching still to do. The opening batting spot is still up in the air and, with Martin Guptill a little light in the runs, it's even more of a headache.

The good news is that Dean Brownlie has made significant strides towards commanding a spot in the last two games and should continue in the role against Sri Lanka. Let's hope he continues to improve because it helps no end when you begin an innings with certainty.

Anton Devcich did little wrong on tour but did he do enough to grab a place? His issue is that, with Kane Williamson back bowling, he has to force Nathan McCullum out of a specialist bowling role or take Corey Anderson or Jimmy Neesham's allrounder spot.

Even though McCullum had a less-than-average tour, he's still a certainty in my squad and to go into an ODI campaign without the power of Anderson or Neesham in the middle is a risk.

The form of Anderson and Neesham is poor. Neesham's nondescript tour could see him miss selection but Anderson is needed in the middle.

He had an awful tour but is crucial to the balance of the team. His bowling allows for the inclusion of both McCullum and Daniel Vettori and, in New Zealand nowadays, spin bowlers have proven to be effective in limited-overs cricket. He needs to find form against Sri Lanka.

As for the bowlers, my lord, what to do? You can't pick them all and there are some seriously hard decisions to be made.

As a unit, they had a couple of hiccups but, in general, came through a difficult tour well.

Matt Henry has bashed down the door and Adam Milne has started to apply his gift of pace to more effect.

Vettori has bowled as if he never left and is first picked in my team and Mitchell McClenaghan has said, 'hey, don't forget me'.

I will always pick Kyle Mills because you need experience and steadiness in a World Cup and Tim Southee because he can bowl at the death. And then there's Trent Boult.

So here is my World Cup squad of 15: Guptill, Brownlie, Williamson, Taylor, B McCullum, Latham, Anderson, Ronchi, N McCullum, Vettori, Southee, Mills, Henry, McClenaghan, Elliott.

Tom Latham is selected as batting cover because he can bat anywhere and Grant Elliott is the bolter because, if Brendon McCullum must open, then Elliott is a handy allrounder to cover No 5 or even replace Anderson if he fails. Neesham is unlucky but there's always test cricket, eh.

I have left Boult out because McClenaghan has not played his way out and it would be unfair.

As for Milne, I find it hard to make light of his development, not to mention his pace, but Henry has shown quick enough is good enough if you get it right.