Cricket: Hesson wants top order runs

Mike Hesson
Mike Hesson
As the Black Caps move towards their limited-overs outings against Pakistan, coach Mike Hesson believes top-order runs will be the key to victory during the next few weeks.

The problem for New Zealand is there is uncertainty around the make-up of their top order, while captain Brendon McCullum will also miss the limited-overs leg of the tour, which includes two Twenty20s and five ODIs that will be played in various locations in the UAE.

The failed experiment of using Jimmy Neesham as a one-day opener won't be persevered with, which will likely provide Dean Brownlie, Anton Devcich or Tom Latham with an opportunity to partner Martin Guptill in the opening pair.

"I think if you're able to set the game up with top-order runs over here, you're allowed your power later on to come and put the cream on," Hesson said.

"[Pakistan] are a side that keeps attacking throughout the whole innings, so if our top-order players are able to set that platform it gives us a chance to get good scores."

As next year's World Cup draws closer, Hesson and the selection panel will need to settle on an opening pair, while the layout of the rest of their batting order will also need to be defined, although that has more clarity.

While McCullum is rested, Kane Williamson will captain New Zealand and he will also be one of those players who will feature in the upper echelon of the batting order, while usual suspect Ross Taylor will be there too.

While some players have their World Cup tickets booked, others will need to make a strong impression during the next month or so.

"We are always looking and I think we are always looking for players to really stand up in international cricket and say: 'Look, I belong and you have to pick me' and we are certainly looking for that in this series," Hesson said.

Given the way New Zealand beat Pakistan so comprehensively in the third and final test during the weekend, which helped them level the series at 1-1, they will likely take a healthy dose of confidence in to the next phase of the tour.

Hesson said the third test, played under emotional circumstances due to the shock death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes last week, was a draining experience.

"I think it's really difficult to understand what the guys have gone through unless you're here. But there's a lot of empathy out there amongst the New Zealand public."

Hesson said the team had received a vast amount of support from back home and those messages had been printed out and put up in their dressing room.

Aside from McCullum, seamers Trent Boult and Tim Southee have also returned to New Zealand as Hesson looks to manage his players during a busy schedule.

New Zealand meet Pakistan in the first Twenty20 encounter in Dubai on Friday morning (NZT).

By Daniel Richardson of NZME. News Service

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