New Zealand's Test Match Attack and Depth Chart Management
In their First Test Match against Sri Lanka in Galle, New Zealand played Two Fast Bowlers and 3 Spinners. While this decision in a vacuum isn’t objectionable, I am curious about New Zealand’s Test Match Depth Charts. My Depth Chart indicates that New Zealand’s All Conditions Test Match Attack includes:
- Matt Henry
- Tim Southee
- Kyle Jamieson
- Ajaz Patel
- Glenn Phillips
Teams from England, Australia, and New Zealand arrive in Asia with unnecessary Spinner Volume. That isn’t to say that a Tour to Asia should prompt you to carry an Extra Spinner. It is to say that the Extra Spinner doesn’t necessarily have to play. Are there Diminishing Returns associated with Playing the Extra Spinner, especially if that Spinner is redundant? Two, it goes without saying that New Zealand Cricket have to transition from Tim Southee. While that transition isn’t imminent it is close to being imminent. Which is why it was important in my opinion for New Zealand to Carry a Genuine New Ball Bowler like a Nathan Smith and/or a Ben Lister. Plus Adithya Ashoka.
Finally, while I am dubious about the Non-Selection of Kyle Jamieson in the Squad and Matt Henry in the XI, I am delighted to see Mitchell Santner’s return to Test Cricket. While I probably would have played the Extra Fast Bowler, Santner the Multi-Format Cricketer offers New Zealand Formation Versatility. He allows them to travel to Sri Lanka and play 3 Genuine Spinners.
One More Thing
I think it’s important that New Zealand establishes Rachin Ravindra the Bowler keeping in mind the uncertainty around Mitchell Santner’s availability. While he’s extra redundant in this game, Ravindra’s Bowling Development is crucial to New Zealand’s Long-Term Progress in Test Cricket.