BJ Watling
Watling has the technique and the composure to fill in at the top and he is already in Australia. He has also done it before, albeit with marginal success. In 10 innings he has scored 208 runs at 23.11. Obviously Tom Blundell would have to take the gloves and the middle would be stripped of its starch. Watling averages 55.54 at No6.
Hamish Rutherford
The Otago left-hander is in great nick at the moment. His last outing was in the twenty20 match which is a long way from test cricket. But he did hit the ball supremely well and he is a specialist opener. And who can forget his test debut? He clouted 171 against England at the University Oval in 2013. But he played the last of his 16 tests four years ago. And would he be up to the searing test Mitchell Starc and co will pose? He has never been that comfortable against quality short-pitched bowling.
Jeet Raval
The pressure is mounting on the Auckland left-hander. Since posting his maiden century earlier this year, Raval has registered scores of 3, 33, 4, 0, 19, 5, 0, 1 and 1. In the past six tests Raval is averaging 7.33. But based on the last test he is clearly our leading spinner, so maybe he takes Mitchell Santner’s spot at No8 in the order.
Martin Guptill.
No. Too many fielders behind the wicket in test cricket.
Henry Cooper
The Northern Districts 26-year-old is building a useful career. The right-hander scored 149 against Otago this summer and has 1403 runs in first-class cricket at an average 37.91.
Rachin Ravindra
There is a lot of hype surrounding the 20-year-old. He has scored five 50s in 12 first-class matches. Too early for an international call-up but one to watch for the future.
Greg Hay
The Central Districts captain has compiled an impressive first-class record. But the 35-year-old has never been in fashion despite notching 5225 first-class runs at an average of 42.13. Northern Districts captain Daniel Flynn is another really experienced campaigner but also in the ‘‘too old’’ basket.
