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Changes for Whangarei?

Changes for Whangarei?

02/03/2012 09:39:51 AM

Expect more personnel changes when New Zealand plays Zimbabwe in the second one-day cricket international in Whangarei on Monday.

Tom Latham, Andrew Ellis and Dean Brownlie made their one-day debuts in the 90-run win over Zimbabwe in Dunedin on Friday and other newcomers Michael Bates and Taren Nethula will come under close consideration for a start in the far north.

"Everyone will definitely get a run in the series," captain Brendon McCullum said. "There's no point in picking guys in the squad otherwise.

"We'll go through the balance of the team with Wrighty [coach John Wright] tomorrow. It's the challenge of wanting to give guys opportunities and not letting your standards slip.

"We need to have some sort of continuity as we prepare for the series against South Africa later in the season."

McCullum, meanwhile, praised the contribution of the newcomers in Dunedin.

"Andrew Ellis was outstanding with the ball and smart with the bat and Tom Latham looked incredibly composed for a young fellow and showed he is not out of place at this level. Dean Brownlie had limited opportunities because of his run out but he looked good. We've seen what he can do in the Test arena. You couldn't have asked for much more from the young guys."

McCullum described Martin Guptills's innings of 70 as exceptional and said Kyle Mills did a great job with the new ball.

McCullum said there were some rough edges to New Zealand's display but overall it was reasonably satisfactory.

"If you look at the result, you would say we were clinical but, if you looked at the nuances of the game, you would say there are a few rough edges to smooth over.

"It's about getting the right result and to get 250 and restrict them to 160-odd was reasonably satisfying."

McCullum said the consensus from the players was that it was not the easiest pitch on which to bat.

"It was pretty difficult to bat on," he said. "Every now and then the ball would hold or pop a little bit. Every time we thought we were getting a partnership together and were about to accelerate, we would lose a wicket."

McCullum said Zimbabwe had improved from their horror test loss and had regained some confidence.

"They're more than capable of putting up a fight in one-day cricket. A lot rests on Brendan Taylor's shoulders and we saw that again today. He is a world-class player who has the ability to take the game away from you."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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