Franklin for middle-order role?

Black Caps coach John Bracewell is considering using James Franklin as a middle-order pinch hitter following his recent good performances with the bat.

Franklin has had a good World Cup with the bat to date with his highlights being an innings of 34 not out off 22 balls against Ireland and 25 not out off 27 balls against Sri Lanka.

Bracewell commented to Reuters that “There are times when I am tempted to try him against the left-arm spinners and give them a belt in the middle and perhaps use him as a bit of a shock hitter.”

“I think he’s grown in that sort of stature that that’s now an option. He could end up being shifted in as a shock hitter at some point,” Bracewell added.

In other news, Black Caps wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum was fined 20 percent of his match fee following their game against Sri Lanka for showing dissent after being given out lbw to Muttiah Muralitharan.