Wiseman and Jones could be winners in NZ selection

Any New Zealand team selection for tours of Asia highlights the greatest vacuum in cricket in this country - the vast hole which signifies the lack of successful spin bowling options.

Tomorrow, the national selectors will unveil their latest offering and, for all intents and purposes, it is likely to result in another turn of a well worn and very squeaky wheel.

Taking left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori out of the equation, because he has been something of a freak by normal New Zealand standards, the history of spin development does not make for especially satisfying reading over the last 10 years.

But even Vettori has dropped back from the position of pre-eminence he had, not only in New Zealand but on the world stage, largely through lack of workload. Part of that was due to stress fracture problems in his back, developed in 2000.

However, the introduction of pitches with more pace and bounce, and the greater utilisation of portable pitch technology, has undermined Vettori's effectiveness in New Zealand's performances. If there is any player looking to get on the plane for Sri Lanka and India, New Zealand's next two tours, then it is surely Vettori.

The fact that a bowler of his quality is so sadly under-utilised hints at why others ranked below him have also been frustrated. The opportunities for spinners to have good, long, career-developing bowling stints have been few and far between in recent times.

The supporting cast of spinners to Vettori makes interesting reading. Working in reverse order, it reads:

2002: West Indies - Matthew Hart.

2001/02: Sharjah and Pakistan - Brooke Walker; Australia - Glen Sulzberger (Paul Wiseman temporary replacement); Sri Lanka - Grant Bradburn.

2000/01: Zimbabwe and South Africa - (Vettori injured in Zimbabwe), Walker, Wiseman (Sulzberger replacement).

1999/00: India - Wiseman.

1999: England - Walker (replacement).

1997/98: Sri Lanka - Mark Priest, Wiseman; Zimbabwe - Wiseman.

1996/97 (pre-Vettori Test debut): Pakistan - Dipak Patel (Hart replacement).

1995/96: West Indies - Patel (Mark Haslam replacement); India - Hart (Haslam replacement).

1994/95: South Africa - Hart (Priest replacement).

1994: England - Hart.

1993/94: Australia - Patel, Haslam.

1992/93: Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka - Haslam, Patel (Bradburn replacement).

Between Hart (14 Tests), Walker (5), Wiseman (14), Bradburn (7), Priest (3), Patel (37) and Haslam (4), they have taken 154 Test wickets at an average of 47.69. Sulzberger was named in touring teams but has yet to play a Test.

Take out Patel's 75 wickets and the remaining 79 cost 53.04 each.

That represents an expensive investment. Patel, Priest, Bradburn and Haslam have all now retired from the first-class scene which leaves Hart, Walker and Wiseman, none of whom can be claimed to have had a successful domestic series this year.

Given the fact that Vettori will be the No 1 spinner, the selectors have little option. They could go for Hart, because of his superior batting form this year, but he is a left-armer just like Vettori. Walker, the leg-spinner, turns the ball from the same angle.

Which only leaves Wiseman as offering some form of variation. The argument that he has taken wickets in Sri Lanka in the past is a consideration, but far enough back to have been considered of historic value only.

All of which points to the fact that it is likely to be the variation factor that sways the selectors in their choice.

It could be a big break for Wiseman, who showed previously that he had the ability, but who needs to take his chance especially with a tour to India later in the year and a tour to England in 2004 as suitable bait to strive for his best touch.

Otherwise, the wheel will make another squeaky turn.

Few other surprises appear likely in the Test side selected for the tour. Matt Horne seems assured of joining Mark Richardson with the opening duties.

Equally it would be no surprise given Craig McMillan's lack of touch this year if he was to be given the winter off to attempt to regain his better form.

Lou Vincent, who also struggled for form, might be given a reprieve with the knowledge that he is allowed to develop his game in the New Zealand middle order.

Of the contenders from outside the squad for a batting position, the main choice lies between up and coming Tim McIntosh and the more experienced Richard Jones and Craig Cumming.

And given the consistency of Jones' scoring in recent years, 726 runs at 45.37 this year, 576 at 36.00 last year, 809 at 47.58 in 2000/01, he would seem the most likely consideration. It would be suitable reward for Jones, 29, who moved to Wellington from Auckland in an attempt to further his cricket career.

The opportunity would then be there for him to attempt to emulate another member of the Jones family, Andrew Jones, who made a great fist of his opportunity when called into international cricket at a late stage in his career.

The Test side named by the selectors may be: Stephen Fleming (captain), Mark Richardson, Matt Horne, Mathew Sinclair, Richard Jones, Scott Styris, Lou Vincent, Robbie Hart, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Daryl Tuffey, Paul Wiseman, Ian Butler.

The one-day side should contain few surprises. If New Zealand needs to gain some consistency in its one-day results, it is not the time for chopping and changing. With McMillan left out and Nathan Astle out with his knee injury, the chance will be there for Chris Nevin to attempt to press further claims while Horne deserves a chance to put his case as well.

But it could be that he is in competition with Sinclair and Vincent for two places in the side. It's been done before, and it may be that the selectors use the Test leg of the tour to make their decision.

In the bowling Chris Cairns should be back to full health providing an extra bowling option. The only other consideration might be another look at Paul Hitchcock. Butler is likely to be given the chance to work with Bond and it will be interesting to watch them in action together, albeit on less friendly surfaces in Sri Lanka.

Kyle Mills is likely to be included in the side, possibly at the expense of one of the batsmen and if the selectors do decide to leave a vacant space the battle may be between Sinclair and Vincent.

The one-day side may be: Stephen Fleming (captain), Matt Horne, Chris Nevin, Mathew Sinclair/Lou Vincent, Scott Styris, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Chris Harris, Andre Adams, Shane Bond, Ian Butler, Kyle Mills.