Cricket: New look to NZ squad for T20s

Mike Hesson.
Mike Hesson.
There's a fresh look to the New Zealand squad for their two T20 internationals against Sri Lanka, starting at Bay Oval today.

The first match also marks the start of the countdown to the world tournament in India in March.

Coach Mike Hesson hinted yesterday there are other players who are likely to get an opportunity in the three T20s against Pakistan later this month.

Hesson believes he and fellow selector Gavin Larsen have trimmed their squad options for India down to 17 or 18, and while form is always relevant, there's the complication that Indian conditions will bear little relation to the surfaces in New Zealand in the coming weeks.

So those players in the squad this week should grab their chance.

Corey Anderson's return after a lengthy layoff to recover from a back injury is welcome, even if his bowling is another couple of weeks away.

Add in another left-hander, Auckland's belligerent hitter Colin Munro, and the middle/late innings organisational talents of Grant Elliott, returning from a wrist injury and it's an exciting blend.

"It's nice to bring fresh faces, who are feeling confident about their game and have performed well for us in the past," Hesson said yesterday.

"They'll add real striking power to our batting lineup. It's certainly an imposing lineup now."

Seamer Matt Henry is in rare one-day form - 13 wickets in three ODI innings in the last 10 days - and gets an opportunity to add to his three T20 performances.

He replaces Tim Southee who is out of the five T20s and has his left foot in a moon boot to help get over bone bruising.

"He needs to take pressure off his foot and we're hopeful it won't be a long term thing," Hesson said of Southee.

New Zealand played only four T20s in 2015, with wins against Zimbabwe and South Africa, and losses to England and the South Africans.

They are starting a rare run of shortest form games as preparation for India.

Sri Lanka won the last tournament two years ago, but since then they have lost batting giants Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara to retirement, freaky fast-medium bowler Lasith Malinga to injury, tricky finger spinner Ajantha Mendis to form and opener Kusal Perera to a drug ban.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal leads Sri Lanka, but his form when skipper hasn't been flash, just 88 runs at 11.

They do have serious hitting power, though, well suited to the format.

Then again, Martin Guptill is in rare touch right now. His well-paced hundred on Tuesday suggested a carrying on of his limited-overs form of last year, when he scored more runs, 1489, than any other batsman.

"His form is exceptional," Hesson said.

"To be able to keep scoring runs when you've got that form is another skill rather than going too hard, too soon. He's making the most of his form."

There's also the small matter of a world No 1 ranking for Sri Lanka to defend. New Zealand, by contrast, are ranked a lowly eighth, their poorest position of the three ranking ladders. Much to play for, then.

By David Leggat

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