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BLACKCAPS Hosting Sri Lanka - Taking Stock

McClenaghan can, I'm a fan, not from Japan, who's Satan?

Shout out to the rain gods one time. While it's a horrible time of year for rain to fall and that said rain robbed Nelson of seeing their BLACKCAPS try wrap up the series against Sri Lanka, it did rule out the chance of a series loss for the kiwis.

Nelson offered a change in scenery for the Sri Lankans after losing the first two ODIs in Christchurch, a change of scenery which they thoroughly enjoyed. Their big shots came off, going to the boundary instead of looking reckless with Danushka Gunathilaka, Tilakaratne Dilshan and Lahiru Thirimanne all scoring half-centuries, showcasing the all round batting ability that we simply haven't seen so far in this ODI series.

There was also a much-improved bowling effort, with Dushmantha Chameera again reminding everyone of his potential with 2/38 off his 10 overs. Chameera, who couldn't take a wicket in Christchurch and then found some love in Nelson; what will Mount Maunganui hold for this youngster?

Any momentum gained by Sri Lanka was halted however as rain limited the fourth ODI to less than 10 overs. Sri Lanka will head to Tauranga and The Mount, eager to level the series, a result which looked a long way off in Christchurch.

While Sri Lanka were much better in the third ODI, this came in conjunction with a average bowling display from the kiwi bowlers. Three of the four frontline seamers (Tim Southee, Adam Milne and Doug Bracewell) all conceded more than 7 runs per over as they failed to consistently hit any good areas, drifting into pads of Dilshan especially far too often.

Oh how things change when bowlers are put under pressure, when the shoe is put on the other foot.

Tim Southee returned to the team for the third ODI only to be yanked for the fourth ODI thanks to injury, making you wonder about the point of even contemplating Southee's inclusion for any of these ODIs. I would have been completely happy if Southee was given the series off for two reasons: rest him up for an elongated summer culminating in the World T20 and give other blokes the chance.

Southee returned while Matt Henry and/or Ish Sodhi made way. A bowling group of Milne, Bracewell, McClenaghan, Henry, Sodhi and Mitchell Santner is exciting and they also need plenty of international game time right now.

Heading into the fifth and final ODI, it will be interesting to see how this BLACKCAPS team looks. If Southee's carrying this foot injury then there's no point in selecting him and the decision to either select Santner or Santner and Sodhi offers plenty of funk. Sodhi got the nod over Bracewell for the fourth ODI after Bracewell struggled and working in the dual-spinner theory's favour is the variety offered by playing both Sodhi and Santner.

The pitch and overhead conditions will understandably play a part in this selection while I'm not sold on playing three righties (Henry, Bracewell and Milne) in the same bowling attack, especially after Sri Lanka's top order have found some confidence. A bowling attack of Henry, Milne, McClenaghan, Sodhi and Santner offers variety and aggression, which I like.

There's two lads I want to shine the spotlight on with Luke Ronchi and Mitchell McClenaghan heading on different paths.

Ronchi enjoyed a period of time when his hard-hitting late in the innings was awesome. He'd come to the crease and there was an air of confidence that no matter what delivery was served up would be sent to or over the boundary; 170* vs Sri Lanka earlier this year was a prime example of Ronchi's ability as a hitter.

Unfortunately for Ronchi he endured a lean 2015 besides that 170. In 2015 Ronchi has scored 424 runs in 32 innings' at an average of 21.20 which is pretty mediocre and when you ignore that 170*, Ronchi has scored 254 runs in 31 innings with a top score of 33.

That's not quite up to par from Ronchi and questions should be asked about his place in the team with a record like that. Sure, his position in the batting line up doesn't lend itself to consistent runs but a top score of 33 in 31 innings? I'm especially cautious as Ronchi is much closer to retirement than the peak of his career and a young wicket-keeper batsmen could be given a go. 

I do suspect that Ronchi will hold on to his place in this team for the World T20 competition though, after that I think it will be time to move on.

McClenaghan hasn't been on fire, although he has been quite impressive especially as he was the most economical kiwi bowler in the third ODI ... besides Guppy. Imagine saying that McClenaghan was the most economical bowler!? This is a bloke who's place in the team depends on his wickets and not exactly how economical he is and he often gives up a few runs in pursuit of wickets.

In 2015, McClenaghan took 26 wickets in 18 ODIs at an average of 34.61 which is handy but it's his record in Aotearoa that catches the eye. Last year saw McClenaghan play 10 ODIs in Aotearoa and seven outside of our great country, taking 16 wickets in Aotearoa at an average of 25.31. 

While the likes of Matt Henry took much of the shine in the early part of this series, McClenaghan has quietly gone about his business taking wickets in all but the fourth ODI (kiwis didn't bowl).

2/40 off 10 overs @4 rpo.

3/32 off 8 overs @ 4 rpo.

1/39 off 9 overs @ 4.33 rpo.

McClenaghan is second to Henry for the most wickets in this series (Henry has 8, McClenaghan has 6) and more importantly; McClenaghan's economy rate over his four games is 4.11 which is the best of any bowler to take more than one wicket. I've got McClenaghan as a staple of this limited overs bowling attack and it's been fun watching him grow into more responsibility with the ball. Just like it's fun to watch his off-stick being snapped...

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With Sri Lanka high on a bit of confidence and eager to level the series, keeping some pride in tact, the BLACKCAPS face a very intriguing challenge in Tauranga. We've seen how explosive Sri Lanka's top order can be and we've also seen bits and pieces of a bowling attack that can pose a threat, all of which has come more recently than Martin Guptill's innings or Henry's wickets.