How and Bennett now key Black Cap figures

WELLINGTON - New Zealand cricketers Jamie How and Hamish Bennett now loom as key figures in their country’s quest for the World Cup that is to be played in India between February and April this year.

Top order batsman How is the backup wicketkeeper, given Brendon McCullum is the sole gloveman in the squad of 15, while emerging pacer Bennett is shaping as an opening bowler in the first 11, having been preferred ahead of veteran Kyle Mills for the first two matches in the series against Pakistan starting here tomorrow.

How had a poor one-day tour of India last December when batting at No 3, which was probably why he would not have demanded selection. But he has been rewarded for his consistency in the shortened versions for Central Districts and New Zealand A during the past 18 months.

That he has been asked to be prepared for wicket keeping duties, prompted How to make a quick call to manufacturer Kookaburra for some gear.

“I can’t really remember the last time I kept, it was the academy and the odd game at club cricket (for Marist in Palmerston North),” said How, who averages 31.32 with the bat from 35 one-day internationals.

“We will see how it goes. It’s obviously in case of an emergency and hopefully it won’t come to that,” he said.

According to stuff.co.nz, Bennett’s call-up is also logical, given the 23-year-old impressed in two one-day internationals in Bangladesh before pulling up with an abdominal tear and groin strain on his first day as a test cricketer, against India in Ahmedabad last November.

But that did not stop the nerves on Sunday and Monday as he waited for a call from selection panel convener Mark Greatbatch.

He said his recovery had been an exercise in patience, with the World Cup always in mind. (ANI)