You need openers in India who can score against spin: Mike Hesson

The tour to subcontinent is always a big deal for the touring teams. They need to accustom themselves to a lot of things and those are not just related to the game. There is always the heat, humidity, the spicy food along with the turn that pitches will offer they are worried about. The Black Caps are packing their bags for a tough tour to India where they play 3 Tests along with the ODIs. Given how poorly Australia fared in Sri Lanka, New Zealand don’t want to take a chance and are already racking up those good against spin along with the squad as backup players.

They have decided to keep wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi along as an alternate opener given his ability to counter spin. Kiwi coach Mike Hesson said that though they might not tinker with the playing XI in the 1st Test and in all likelihood Martin Guptill and Tom Latham will start the inning they want to have the likes of Ronchi, Mitchell Santner and Henry Nicholls around just in case the need arises.

Hesson was quoted by stuff.co.nz as saying, “It’s not your traditional New Zealand opener that you require over there; you need guys who can score against spin, find ways to rotate the strike and keep the game moving,”

“It does [bring Ronchi into the mix]. Luke’s there as a back-up batsman as well as a back-up keeper. His ability against spin certainly makes him an option.”

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New Zealand is predicting that India will play all the three spinners which has a greater possibility and in that case the responsibility of the quicks will be just to try and extract movement in the initial few overs and if there is nothing, to wear the ball out for the spinners to take over.

“Seamers if anything might bowl two-three overs up front and it’s more likely they’re going to have spin at one end to start with if they’re going to play three of them,” he said. “And if you’ve got two left-handers against Ashwin at the top it’s going to be a big challenge for us. We have to assess conditions and pick what we think is the right mix.”

They are keeping their options open and if the wicket at Kanpur wears the dry look the Kiwis might well opt for three spinners themselves. The third spinner in their ranks along with Ish Sodhi and Santner is Mark Craig. “They’re a young spin-bowling group. Probably Ish and Mitch have found white-ball cricket a little easier than Test cricket,” Mike Hesson said. “They’re both evolving nicely and it’s about giving them opportunity.

“I’ve been really pleased with the way Mark Craig has come back from last season. He’s made a few changes technically and the ball seems to be coming out really nicely.”

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