http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 ODI series: Kiwis shuffle batting line-up
New Zealand have shuffled their batting order for the One Day International series against Pakistan that is scheduled to begin from 22 January, 2011 in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864.
Captain Daniel Vettori confirmed media reports that the Black Caps’ power hitter Brendon McCullum will bat at Number 6 in Saturday’s first ODI against Pakistan.
This move by the Kiwis appears to be an attempt to surge their batting line-up ahead of the ICC World Cup 2011 scheduled to be played in February.
Left-handed batsman Jacob Oram will be batting at number seven in a bid to replicate the side’s batting success several years ago. Oram returns to the squad after recovering from a knee surgery he had in September 2010.
McCullum, who has been opening the innings for New Zealand, failed to impress at the top of the line-up recently and has therefore been dropped down the order.
“It’s a tough one,” Vettori stated in a pre-match conference saying that McCullum wanted “clarity” around his role and accepted the decision once it was discussed with him.
He admitted that the team “missed the finishing ability” in 2010, saying that the batting order has been reshuffled due to a recent slump in the performances. The Black Caps are seeking a win in the first ODI to end their 11-match losing streak in the limited-overs
format.
The former Test captain said that the partnership of Oram and McCullum was the strength of New Zealand’s middle-order.
“When Jacob was in his prime in terms of batting form and Brendon was there in the middle order as well, they won a number of games for us,” Vettori said.
Vettori hinted that the changes in the batting line-up will help the team in the sub-continent where the World Cup will be held. He said that the grounds are relatively small and the flat pitches can be used effectively by the hard-hitting players.
He also confirmed that Jesse Ryder will open the innings with Martin Guptill followed by Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 to complete the top order.
Scott Styris will be coming in two down to strengthen the middle-order for the Black Caps. This means that Nathan McCullum will be pushed at number nine with the captain coming in at eight.
Vettori also confirmed that the order will remain the same throughout the six-match series as the team is seeking “big changes” before the World Cup.
He told the media that Jamie How, who raised a few eyebrows after he was recalled in the World Cup squad as a wicketkeeper, will be the 12th man in Saturday’s game.
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