Agreed, we really have to do something about the batting. Since all our best bowlers are over there (except perhaps Bruce Martin) we have to strengthen our batting.
My personal view is that Craig MacMillan has to go. From memory he has played about 150 ODI macthes, averages about 27, makes a good 40 or 60 every now and then. He just does not win us matches. Whereas Astle, Fleming, and Styris have won us matches recently. Our only other specialist batsman is Hamish Marshall, who is pretty new to the team, but is playing well despite doing virtually nothing at domestic level.
That's it, 4 specialist batsman. Astle and Fleming can be class players at times, Styris has done a great job batting at number 4, where I think he averages about 35. No more of this 'Styris is really a number 5' please. We *really* need more than 4 batsman.
I think Mathew Sinclair should be in the team. He can bat anywhere in the order and has improved his batting and mental approach to no end in my view. He has started to score more consistantly and quickly in recent times, had a solid domestic season, and has been playing well for his club in England.
As for Chris Harris...well if he plays he has to bat infront of Cairns and Oram in the order, he does need time to get himself going, although he has been told to bat in a more aggressive fashion.
Our middle order is strong enough with the likes of Cairns, Harris, Oram, and McCullum. We just need some top order batsman. No more all rounders, no more McCullum being sent in for some quick runs.
To my way of thinking, I'd say Harris has been bracketed with Vettori to start the matches. If Vettori can't play we'll need some more variation in our bowling for sure.
