straw man
Hall of Fame Member
I was thinking about exactly this and how we moved a long way from that approach after the last World Cup (especially with Southee not taking new ball wickets any more), before moving back a little lately with attacking options of Ferguson and/or a legspinner.I do agree with this bit, in 2014-15 NZ were all about taking wickets and doing their darndest to bowl sides out. Helped that even Anderson was a certified jammy wicket - taker. Don't know if playing Astle at 7 is the answer but it's worth a shot. Can't see de Grandhomme not being in the lineup though.
Gotta get Henry in there for mine. Offers far more penetrative abilities than Southee even if he's not too good at the death. Was impressive in that last ODI against Pakistan and its a damn shame he gets as little game time as he does.
So it's an interesting question of whether the conditions in the next World Cup will reward attacking bowling or whether it will be more about damage limitation. I hope it's the former and we can focus on winning by taking wickets to bowl sides out, or at least restrict run rates that way.
To that end, can stick our current ODI bowling options in buckets along the attacking/defensive continuum:
Attacking:
Sodhi
Astle
Ferguson
Somewhat attacking:
Boult
Henry
Somewhat defensive:
Santner
Defensive:
Southee
Milne
Boult the first selected and then Santner. The remainder would be chosen based on conditions, though I would never select all three of Santner, Southee and Milne in the same side any more - just doesn't take enough wickets. You wouldn't select all three of the most attacking options either.
Haven't included anyone outside those top 8 bowlers; I would be surprised if anyone else managed to push their way into the side before the next World Cup.
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