Five of New Zealand’s Test bowlers alongside all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme are nursing injuries.
The list includes Trent Boult (groin), Tim Southee (back injury), Neil Wagner (hip/groin), Matt Henry (broken thumb), Ajaz Patel (calf) and Colin de Grandhomme (right foot). Bar Boult, none of the other Kiwi players who are nursing injuries are playing in IPL 2020.
This brings the NZ selectors a huge question: who will be New Zealand’s bowling options come December 3 at Seddon Park against the West Indies? When choosing the following bowling options, I used their 2020-21 Plunket Shield numbers as a guideline. Having seen some clips of the first-class tournament, the wickets have been heavily green and seam-friendly, so the spinners haven’t had much on offer for them.
Kyle Jamieson (Auckland)
Test stats – nine wickets, 16.33 average, 2.57 economy
First-class stats – 96 wickets, 23.85 average, 3.14 economy
2020-21 Plunket Shield stats – 15 wickets, 8.8 average, 2.36 economy
Kyle Jamieson is my first name on the team sheet with the current crop of NZ seamers fighting against time with injuries. He showed in the Black Caps’ home series against India how dangerous he is with the ball, generating steep bounce and bowling very accurately. Currently, Jamieson is the second leading wicket-taker in this season of the Plunket Shield so his selection should be a no-brainer.
Doug Bracewell (Central Districts)
Test stats – 72 wickets, 38.83 average, 3.36 economy
First-class stats – 319 wickets, 32.63 average, 3.34 economy
2020-21 Plunket Sheild stats – nine wickets, 19.33 average, 2.85 economy
While Bracewell’s Test numbers with the ball aren’t great, the New Zealand selectors will need to recall some experience in this line-up with the current crop of seamers injured. Bracewell’s had an excellent start to the Plunket Shield with bat and ball, scoring a century against Auckland.
Will Williams (Canterbury)
First-class stats – 72 wickets, 23.68 average, 2.45 economy
2020-21 Plunket Shield stats – 17 wickets, 8.7 average, 1.69 economy
As Williams’ numbers suggest, he’s a very accurate bowler. A medium pacer, Williams is currently the leading wicket-taker in the Plunket Shield this season, with a crazy bowling average and an economy under 1.7. Williams picks himself for New Zealand selection, but he may not get the nod in the final playing XI.
Lockie Ferguson (Auckland)
Test stats – zero wickets, 4.27 economy
First-class stats – 161 wickets, 24.68 average, 3.34 economy
Ferguson hasn’t played in this season of the Plunket Shield as he’s been playing in the IPL. The New Zealand contingent who will be returning from the IPL will not be able to play in any Plunket Shield matches in time for the Test series against the West Indies. However, they will be in managed isolation and be allowed to train during quarantine. Ferguson’s remarkable first-class record alongside his ability to bowl express pace may give him the edge to play for the Black Caps come December 3.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Daryl Mitchell (Canterbury)
Test stats – 73 runs, 73 average, one fifty, zero wickets, 3.13 economy
First-class stats – 3826 runs, 37.88 average, nine hundreds, 70 wickets, 32.6 average, 3.31 economy
2020-21 Plunket Shield stats – 159 runs, 53.0 average, one hundred, 11 wickets, 14.18 average, 2.4 economy
With De Grandhomme in doubt, there’s no question about Daryl Mitchell getting called up. His batting is a lot more reliable than De Grandhomme, although Mitchell doesn’t possess the same venom as De Grandhomme with the ball. Nonetheless, Mitchell’s numbers with bat and ball for Canterbury this season shows he’s ready for a second Test in his international career.
Will Somerville (Auckland)
Test stats – 15 wickets, 32.46 average, 2.77 economy
First-class stats – 99 wickets, 28.57 average, 2.64 economy
2020-21 Plunket Shield stats – two wickets, 44.0 average, 2.83 economy
The wickets on offer in the Plunket Shield have had barely any assistance for the spinners, hence Somerville not bowling many over thus far. With the early season wickets in New Zealand, Somerville will hardly get a bowl in the Test series unless required. However, every Test team requires a spinner regardless of conditions. With Ajaz Patel injured, Somerville’s inclusion seems the best option considering his respectable first-class and Test record with the ball.
If Boult, Southee and Wagner all fail to make the New Zealand XI come the first Test, then the West Indies’ batsmen will feel very relieved mentally. Although New Zealand will still win the Test series regardless of the trio playing or not, this Test series gives the West Indies a chance to compete.
Should the Kiwi trio miss out on selection, here’s my playing XI come the first Test against the West Indies: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (keeper), Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, Will Somerville, Doug Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Santner may come into the equation at Seddon Park which usually takes turn, assuming Patel doesn't recover in time. Expect Boult to be fit by then; he just got MOTM in the IPL final and took 3/30. Wagner is the guy the Black Caps will miss if he doesn't make the cut. But both he and Southee are expected to be fit for the final round of the domestic stuff. Your team is still a good one Arnab but the attack is likely to a little different once the internationals commence...
The Bush
Roar Guru
While the West Indies will pinch wins when their batsmen pull it off and their bowlers perform, it's really hard to see how they can win tests away from home with a batting line up that doesn't have a single batsman averaging over 40 and only one batsman, Bravo, averaging over 35. Holder at 8 gives the impression of depth, but the other bowlers are basically bunnies and really, Holder could bat as high as five in this team based on some of their performances over the last few years. Batting around the world has certainly fallen to some low depths, England is a 'good' side and only Root averages in the 40s (ignoring players who have just started their careers). The two best current sides, Australia and India, each have two gun batsmen, but even Australia has the Warner-can't-tour issue. If Labuschagne isn't a flash in the pan, we'll be blessed to have him and Smith over the next few years. With the retirement of Amla, de Villiers and now du Plessis, RSA now has a weak batting line up too. It could be argued that New Zealand has the strongest batting line up in the world with Latham, Williamson and Taylor all averaging in the 40s and Nichols and Watling average 38 or 39. It just goes to proving that bowlers win games, not batsmen (assuming you've got a Smith or a Kohli in your side to score the bare minimum runs).
Paul
Roar Guru
If that's the case, the Windies will be in for a tough time, but Arnab was suggesting these guys would likely not play, in which case the playing field would certainly be more level. Thanks for the update.
Reddy
Roar Rookie
Wellington and Hamilton are going to be very green pitches. Boult, Southee and Wagner will all be fit. Hamilton is the home ground domestically for Boult, Southee and Wagner. Then throw in Jamieson who recently got a hat trick domestically. The windies will have to be very careful not to gift wickets especially if New Zealand wins the toss.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Hmmm....from what you say, seems there are some competing interests from Boult re IPL vs representing NZ? With the others out, should Wagner be rested, even with Jamieson in?
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Boult still may play IPL final if fit but if he reinjures the groin again then 100% no chance for first Test. I've heard De Grandhomme and Southee may be fit for T20s but will they be 100% for the Tests? Henry no chance at all. Patel has had no FC cricket so far this season so no chance for him. Wagner is still a possibility but race against time. With Jamieson in the NZ setup, I believe Wagner will be rested for first Test.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I see it the same way Paul.. An NZ win is no given.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Arnab, given the First Test is about 1 month away, do you have an idea of which bowlers may be able to overcome their injuries and return at full strength in time for the Test?
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
If Ferguson is used in short sharp spells he can get breakthroughs. Jamieson will always be in the game with the bounce he gets. Hamilton helps spinners so Somerville has a chance. It's the third seamer who'll probably be Bracewell that needs to step up and offer support. if he's not taking wickets, he has to be keeping the pressure by not leaking runs. Same for Mitchell. Keep things quiet and not let the Windies batsmen score runs at a brisk pace
Paul
Roar Guru
who in the Black Caps side is going to take 20 wickets? If the pitches are as flat as you're suggesting, I can't see any of the NZ attack you named being capable of doing that. Not unless there's some help and if there is, the Windies are more than capable of exploiting it too.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
New Zealand are playing at home that's why I still believe they'll win. Their batting is a lot better than England's IMO. West Indies batting is still par at best and will need Bravo and Brathwaite to step up to give West Indies the ascendancy. Windies won that first Test due to the wicket offering something for the bowlers. They lost both games at Manchester when the wickets were flat. Expect the same at Hamilton and Wellington to nullify West Indies' quicks and keep them quiet
Paul
Roar Guru
"Although New Zealand will still win the Test series regardless of the trio playing or not,"? Really? The strength of the West Indies side is their attack and assuming that's at full strength it's not to be taken lightly. I agree their batting's not brilliant, but then an attack including Summerville & Bracewell isn't either. The Windies took a Test off England at their place and the Poms had a way better attack than the one you named for New Zealand, Arnab. It won't take a lot for a repeat and if weather intervenes after Holder's men go one up, that could be a series loss to the Black Caps.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Their depth definitely falls away after Ferguson and Jamieson, which means they have to play out of their skins.