With the all rounders going round atm, and with the old/average ones in the Blackcaps (Ellis, Oram), who do you think has the most potential to take the next spot available? Basically they all need another season in domestic to get experience.
I'm fans of Boam, Neesham and probably Anderson (Looks like he's back to bowling full time, and looks handy). I think it's pretty dumb leaving Boam out of the Firebirds, and having Elliott there making 0 runs and bowling 5 overs a game. Basically keeping his spot because of experience and a big score every 5 games.
Coming back to this post because NZ could really do with a bowler who can bat quite well or a batsman who can bowl quite well (a true test all-rounder is too much to ask).
Apart from those who've already played from NZ (esp. not thinking about what a bowling-fit Ryder would do for our side), looks like there is Boam, Neesham & Anderson as mentioned above, plus potentially Wells and Munro.
Big disclaimer - this is all just based on what I've seen on the blackcaps website highlights and live streaming when available.
I'd say Wells is the only one of those who has the potential make it as a bowler (who can bat a bit). Height, reasonable action and swing. But he has a
long way to go to turn that potential into wickets even at domestic level, plus is already 28. I don't think his batting is particularly good though this may be because it reminds me a bit of Oram and his good days have receded a long way back into my memory.
The other four all would need to make it as batsmen (who can bowl a bit). Guess Munro has the best batting numbers so far but is the worst bowler (or at least the one with the least potential) - bowling probably wouldn't be much better than Franklin's at international level. Neesham does really look like he could be a good batsman, plus a containing bowler who can surprise batsman with bounce. Anderson perhaps slightly less batting potential than Neesham but there's a little more potential in his bowling (I like his bowling action anyway). Haven't seen enough of Boam's batting in recent times, while his bowling is pretty uncomplicated but not likely to take many wickets.
So I guess Neesham and Anderson the ones to watch, with the idea that after a good season they'd bat at 6 or 7 for NZ with the other two of 6-8 taken by Vettori and keeper.