The Spin Cycle

A two-nil victory over the No 1 side in the world in any format of the game is not something to be sniffed at.

Still, a two match T20 series would not normally create a lot of interest, but this year there is a World T20 Championship so these matches, and those following against Pakistan, serve as some public trial.

The main area of squad selection for that Championship, given that it is being played in India, is the make-up of the spinning department, and a series in New Zealand in early January is not the ideal way to trial your options.  There will be at least three spinners in the squad, not counting the skip, but it is really hard to rank them when only one is playing per match.

Mitchell Santner may look awkward when he bowls, and bowling coaches must itch when they watch him bowl, but he has continued to impress since his entry into the side.  He is the only certainty for the squad.  However, today was just his second T20 International.

Ish Sodhi is the biggest turner of them all, and has variation in his work, but he is a bit prone to the four ball and remains Work in Progress.  He hasn’t played a lot in this format either; five T20 Internationals.

Even less experienced is Todd Astle, but Hesson has indicated that he will be trialled against Pakistan.  This is as a result of a couple of very strong seasons for Canterbury with both and ball in all formats of the game.  It would still be a risk picking him in a tournament where the opposition batsmen are used to playing leg spin.

The spinner with experience is Nathan McCullum.  However, he has not had a great last 12 months and is currently injured.  He will need to play some international cricket for the selectors to feel comfortable picking him.

Suddenly that packed schedule of short form cricket this summer does not seem quite so big after all.