Wright indicates a shuffle in the opening combination for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754
John Wright, the New Zealand team coach has indicated that he will change the opening combination of Brendon McCullum and Jessie Ryder for the upcoming One-day international series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755. The coach wants to get the combination right just before
the ICC World Cup that is going to be played in the subcontinent, next month.
By shifting one of the opening batsmen in the middle-order, he wants to provide stability in the batting line-up. Off-late the Kiwi middle-order has struggled, as two of their premier players bat at the top-order.
Wright suggested in an interview, “McCullum and Ryder may not be at the top of order. There may be only one of them at the top of the order.”
He added’ “We really need to look at the way we have been playing and to consider where we have our firepower, particularly our impact batsmen. There is the opportunity to start with the Power-play, and then who plays where when we get to the next Power-play.
We will have a look at that and make the decisions.”
In recent times, Brendon and Jessie have formed a formidable opening combination, piling up 1069 runs at an impressive average of 51 in 22 games. Their numbers include five century stands and four 50-run stands.
The Kiwi team director said, “It's something we just have to consider carefully. Daniel Vettori will have some strong views on it and you look at the batting line-up, and if we can get players in form, and get our order right, then we should be able to do
the job."
Martin Guptill, who successfully opened the innings for his team in the second Test against the touring side, is likely to be elevated to the opener’s job. In his innings as an opener, the right-hand batsman displayed great technique and composure at the
crease, racking up 29 and 73 against Pakistan.
Currently, the Black Caps are on an 11-match losing streak in the fifty-over version and have lost their last two ODI series, including a whitewash against a modest http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
Wright was also pleased with his team’s performance in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864. He said that his team did a pretty good job in stretching Pakistan for a draw. However, they lost the series because of just one bad session in Hamilton.
The first 50-over game of the 6-match series between the two sides is going to be played on 22nd of January, and this will be a perfect opportunity for both the teams to prepare for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2011, commencing from the 19th
of February.
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