Fuller Pilch
Hall of Fame Member
Abbas bats 5 or 6.IMO this is NZ’s second biggest big-picture problem, after the spin attack. They’ve not introduced a single specialist opener since Raval many moons ago. Blundell, Conway and Young have all partnered Latham in that time, started well and tapered off. Really hope someone like Abbas lives up to his promise and breaks through.
Dale Phillips might be an option even though he's a MOB. He's far less aggressive than his older brother (not a white ball player) but still a top fielder and quick between wickets. He scored a lot of runs at 3 last year.