New
Zealand’s World cup hopes will rely on two youngsters who have shown lot of
promise of late. Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell might be the vital cog if
the team wants to win the T20 World cup in Australia later this year
New Zealand barely managed to win the first ODI
against Ireland and it happened only because of a special innings played by
Michael Bracewell. The left hander showed signs of being a finisher which New
Zealand have been searching from a long period of time. The biggest highlight
of his innings was that through out the pressure cooker situation he was very
calm and cool. Even when New Zealand needed 20 runs of the final over, he
looked confident.
At no.7, the modern teams aim to play a player who can
bat or bowl, in such a scenario they prefer a bowling- allrounder or a batting
allrounder. Players like Dashun Shanaka, Ravindra Jadeja, Jason Holder, David
Willey who are good with both bat and ball. It is the primary reason why New
Zealand have been trying to fill in either Santaner or Bracewell for the slot.
Both of them are spinning allrounders and could play vital fifth bowling roll.
Santaner is considered to be better bowler while Bracewell’s batting is more
effective.
New Zealand have to be careful in identifying the
conditions and picking up the duo. For this it is pertinent that they must
clear Bracewell what role they want him to play. Against England in Test
matches they selected him as a specialist spinner, result he was taken to the
cleaners by English batsmen. Therefore, it would be crucial how team management
clarifies his role in the T20 and ODI teams. Against Ireland, Bracewell made 190
runs in 3 matches and picked 2 wickets in 3 matches. Clearly his off spin is
additional asset but not a lethal one on which New Zealand can bank to win
matches.
Glenn Phillips on the other hand have become a crucial
member in the limited over versions. He has debuted in the T20 Internationals
five years ago and since then have appeared 35 times for New Zealand in the
format, the latest being the T20 World Cup in UAE. In 2021 he emerged as the
most destructive batter in the T20 franchise leagues hitting 89 sixes, the most
by any player across the globe. After his initial inconsistency where he had
been guilty of throwing away the wickets, Phillips has started to show more
maturity. His game started to evolve, and it was critical in the New Zealand
Cricket giving him central contract last year.
Against Ireland he was also handed the ODI Cap, and it
was clearly evident that he is in scheme of plan of the selectors in 50 over
world Cup as well which will be played in India next year. Phillips belongs to
the modern-day generation of batsman who has higher strike rates but has
certain other weakness which hinder their game. In his initial years he was
dropped because he was getting out on the bowls which were being directed
towards his hips. The team management asked him to work on his game, Phillips
returned to the domestic circuit and grinded it out for next four years. He had
a successful Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in 2020 and was selected in 2021
for New Zealand’s home summer.
He returned as an improved batsman someone on whom
team can rely on. Today he has made 640 runs in 35 T20 Internationals at an
average of 25.80 and strike rate of 140.21. His performance in the World Cup
will determine how far New Zealand can go in the marquee tournament.
While New Zealand’s senior players will carry the hope
of the country to ensure that the country wins its first ever T20 title but the
youngsters like Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips will play crucial role.
Both Phillips and Bracewell are expected to bat in lower middle order which
will be having onus to power the team to strong totals. Only time will tell
whether both meet the expectations that the fans have from them.
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