Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has said that the Kiwis should consider bringing Henry Nicholls into the side for their game against India.
Though the Kiwis have won their three games at the World Cup so far, Hesson said that changes needed to be made looking at the opponents. “I don’t subscribe to the theory of never changing a winning team, particularly when Nicholls and Southee were the incumbents before they got injured,” Hesson wrote in a column on Sunday.
“It might mean Colin de Grandhomme and Matt Henry sit this one out. Again, horses for courses.”
While their bowlers have been good, Hesson was of the opinion that the Kiwi batsmen will be under pressure especially against the likes of Jusprit Bumrah in Nottingham on Thursday.
“Conditions will be so different, and India’s two-pronged wrist spin attack of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will challenge our middle order,” Hesson added.
“That’s where Nicholls is a serious option at six. Jimmy Neesham and de Grandhomme are both good ball strikers but not our best players of wrist spin.
“If you have Nicholls and Tom Latham in the middle order they can hopefully, score freely off these spinners as they can sweep and reverse sweep.
“You need to be able to have batsmen through the middle who have enough high percentage scoring opportunities.”
Hesson also thought that Ish Sodhi would provide something different on a Trent Bridge pitch that could suit having two spinners in the lineup.
“I’d expect it to be the best surface they’ve played on so far and a high scoring game,” he wrote.
“If they remove all the grass from the pitch, the other option is to bring in Sodhi for Henry with Neesham as your third seamer; two frontline spinners and Colin Munro up your sleeve.”
Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Michael Bradley
