What we learnt this tour to date...
McConchie...can play but lets see what happens the next 2 matches, bloody late bringing someone into the fray.
Chapman...the Suryakumar of 20/20 yet crap in ODI's to date though don't write him off because he's been coming in at awful times to bat.
Bowes...got the potential but has he got the consistency required? No idea where his careers headed.
Young...has enough ability but needs to find his position so he can settle and start knuckling down.
Dazza...if he wants it the number 3 spot is probably there for the taking.
Neesh...apart from a nice cameo the other day really think he's cooked. Ok honestly I've had a ****ing guts full of the guy.
Rachin...that's enough ****ing around with him, career not done of course but ffs put him in the closet for now.
Nicholls...not his fault and he'll probably play test cricket again, but please never ever ever ever ever another white ball match.
Shippy...still a bit unsure tstl but hoping he sticks around and can kick on.
Henry...gotta love this guy if you're a kiwi fan, gives his guts and continues producing solid results.
From a WC perspective, it looks like Mitchell can do the job at no.3 and that's a pretty big positive from this series. In terms of the other spots, doesn't feel like NZ have done the math well enough to put all the pieces together though we can say there are some reasonable backup options in case of injuries.
Assuming KW is out and everyone else is fit, the certainties for the WC squad are: Conway, Allen, Mitchell, Latham (wk), Phillips, Macewell, Santner, Sodhi (rounding out the spinners), Henry, Ferguson (who has been mostly terrible since recovering from injury, but previous body of work makes him a default) and Southee (not a great choice for a SC World Cup, but will be there).
That leaves 4 spots. One will likely go to Boult, despite the contract issues is too crucial to NZ's chances especially given they've regularly conceded or failed to defend 300+ scores in both India and Pakistan. Since Lister hasn't been trialled all that much this seems all the more likely.
For the other 3, this is what it looks like to me ATM:
Young vs Nicholls for one extra batting spot: Even if Young hasn't exactly set the world on fire, has still looked the better option. But they've stuck by Nicholls through thick and thin so who knows.
Neesham vs Chapman for one remaining allrounder spot: Legit tough one to call, Chapman has a higher ceiling with the bat, they really need to explore his bowling a bit. Neesham probably the favourite on experience alone and his tendency to deliver in close matches.
Blundell as backup keeper - I wish Cleaver had been given some ODI chances to show what he's capable of, but Blundell showed he can do the job well enough yesterday. Would want him in the squad, but would be typical if NZ decided Allen or Conway can do the job as backup keeper.
Among the others McConchie, Bowes and Milne are probably first choice reserves in case anyone gets injured, to their credit they've put up some performances on the board. Shipley and Ravindra are miscast in this World Cup buildup IMO though Ravindra is an outside bet for an India World Cup I suppose.
