Coach Mike Hesson Backs Colin Munro For The Vacant Opener’s Slot
Sep 25, 2017 at 6:58 PM
The Story
New Zealand is lined up next to tour India for a limited overs series in late October after the culmination of the ongoing engagement with Australia. The Blackcaps will play three ODIs and three T20Is as a part of the tour.
New Zealand Cricket Board has announced an initial squad of nine members already and the rest of the squad will be picked from the New Zealand A team that is currently playing in India.
There has been a vacuum left in the opening slot after the retirement of Brendon McCullum and, more recently, Luke Ronchi who retired after the Champions Trophy.
Guptill to get a new opening partner
New Zealand is currently dealing a problem that is becoming common these days – finding a perfect opening combination. The side is on a lookout for a suitable opening partner for Martin Guptill a may pick one by the outcomes of the A” tour which is set to go underway next month.
Colin Munro will be opening with and George Worker NZ-A in the five one-day matches against India A, starting on October 6. Both will be in the race, but Chief selector and coach Mike Hesson seems to be little more optimistic about Munro that his peer Worker.
“Colin’s a very destructive player and very much plays on instinct. His ability to take pressure off Martin at the top of the innings and create a bit of a two-pronged attack like we had with Brendon [McCullum] and Martin is something we’re keen to explore,” Hesson said.
“We find with Colin that we try to remove having to think too much about the state of the game. When you bat at five and six you’ve got to adjust and we think Colin is better going out and playing. He can play the swinging ball and is certainly skillful enough to push his case there,” Hesson said.
The 30-year-old left-hander has been a part of the T20 team and featured in has also played 20 ODI. But, all his appearances have come at the no.3 position. He currently averages 25 at a strike rate of 99 and been kept out of the side since the tour England.