Potential - but will it be fulfilled?

Gone are the days of the Flemings,, Astles, and Richardsons of New Zealand cricket. Now get used to the names Ryder, Taylor and Flynn and as the future of the New Zealand batting order goes through a washing machine. As is widely known, world class test batsman are few and far between in this country but there is a feeling emerging that the blackcaps top order might be on the eve of something special. 2008 was another indifferent year for the New Zealand test side, starting with a sensational win over England in Napier, the efforts tailed off as the year went on. A new coach is at the helm, behold Englishman Andy Moles and together with the hand of bearded Jesus (Daniel Vettori) Sonny would hope that things are on the improve but the tiring old follower of cricket in this country might have to be a little patient before this pack of young party goers start to deliver him some runs.

The opening issue is one that no one seems to be able to get their head around. Papps, Cumming, Bell, Redmond, Marshall are all tried and tested names. The next two off the mouldy shelf are impeccable blocker Jamie How and Auckland Veteran Tim McIntosh. You would feel that the selectors are starting to lose patience with the out of form How, but scores aside he looks the technically sound option for the blackcaps looking ahead. Staunch in defence, strong through the covers and possessing a stylish pool shot, How just seems to find a way of getting out. He was promising in the home and away series’ against England but has since petered off with a series of failures mounting the pressure on him with India in the distance. Tim McIntosh on the other hand is the more belligerent batsman. He works hard for his unattractive runs and hopefully for New Zealand he will emerge in Richardson-esque fashion. His test career started brightly with a determined century in Napier but consistency has been a problem for the 29 year old in his domestic career so he will have to keep working for his blackcaps spot.

Since the retirement of Stephen Fleming early last year the vital number 3 spot has been another concern hovering around the blackcap selectors. James Marshall failed miserably there in England before Jesse Ryder made a promising start in Bangladesh and Australia. With stroke maker Daniel Flynn unusually down at five, logic prevailed as Ryder and Flynn had a direct swap in the batting order. In just his second test match Flynn was made famous for the wrong reasons, his teeth getting knocked out by a bouncer at Old Trafford. To his credit he moved on from there and when given a berth at first drop in Dunedin. He didn’t disappoint, making a fantastic 95, agonisingly short of his maiden test century. That innings provided hope to the blackcap fan that a successful first drop may be on the horizon. He looks accomplished at the crease, confident in his ability and importantly he plays to his strengths. His back foot cut shots through the off side are something to behold as well as his exquisite drives. Flynn became a little unstuck when facing the extra pace of Mitchell Johnson in Australia, twice his off stump was knocked over by the extra zip. Although the problem subsided against the ferocious pace of the West Indians, only time will tell if he has overcome it. His mental game is to be admired also. Who knows? Maybe a gutsy lad from Rotorua could turn into a classy replacement for Stephen Fleming.

Ross Taylor is another addition to the current crop of exiting young batsman. 24 year old Taylor had enjoyed a solid start to his international career but not without frustrations. He has cemented his spot as the blackcap’s number four but has the ability to get out regularly to needless shots. In his short career he has already played some very memorable innings’ as well as some ones to forget. Not unlike Big Jesse Ryder his mental game has been frequently critised by all sections of the media, Smithy included. Although he has only been in the side for a couple of years, Taylor has been forced to take on the responsibility of a senior batsman. Looking ahead, captain Vettori will be hopeful he can grow into the role and become a essential part of the blackcap’s top order. Nobody doubts Taylor’s talent nor his potential but some doubt whether he has the batting maturity to become the sensational player that he has show glimpses of, only time will tell.

It’s a tough task to recall someone the size of Jesse Ryder who turned out to be a world class batsman. Some backed him others laughed at the maccas addict but now most realize that he may provide that extra bite and ego New Zealand need in their reconstructed middle order. He announced his arrival on the international stage with a bang as he dispatched the English attack in the ODI series early last year. Then his reputation caught up with him as a drunken Ryder decided it was a good idea to punch a window, well, it wasn’t. Consequently, Ryder started his test career later then he should’ve. Initially batting at 3 he had solid test series’ against Australia and Bangladesh before scoring a flashy 89 in the first test against the West Indies, batting down at five. He is one of those cricketers that you either love or you hate, Ryder baffles crowds with sublime timing on both sides of the wicket an a ability to clear the fence. An issue already heavily criticized about Ryder is his mental game and his ability to get himself out. But one hopes that this will improve as he matures with age. His potential is larger than life, if he can clear up his issues then watch out for this guy, a potentially devastating part of the kiwi outfit in the years to come.


The words are around; talent and potential but that is not what New Zealand needs, what we want are legends, prodigies, records and a lot of wins. That is what these guys will be judged on, the runs. So can they do it? Are the blackcaps on the verge of a special era of batting?