Who gets the most runs - Raval vs Nicholls?

Another Blackcaps Test squad and more tinkering. The inability to give the same group consistent opportunities is slightly frustrating, especially when there doesn't appear to be much logic behind it. This Blackcaps Test squad has Jimmy Neesham and Jeetan Patel returning, with Matt Henry and Dean Brownlie dropping out and these changes didn't brew the same frustration within my loins - strangely enough.

Brownlie's omission makes sense, even though I'd rather have Brownlie in various squads to cover a worst-case scenario. The decision-makers have opted to bolster their bowling stocks rather than carry extra weight in the batting department and no dramas there. People may kick up a fuss about Henry Nicholls being in the squad - which is apparently mandatory these days - and while the Blackcaps have been front and centre, Nicholls has been ticking up the runs in domestic cricket.

Nicholls is coming fresh off a Plunket Shield game in which he scored 34 and 71* while he hit four-straight 50+ scores in the Ford Trophy, including a century. Regardless of your opinion of Nicholls; he scored runs in his last Test outing, scores runs for fun in domestic stuff and until he stacks up consistent failures, he'll likely be the No.5.

Jeet Raval on the other hand passed 30 just once in his four Test innings' against Bangladesh and has one half-century in his last 10 innings' (four x Test, four Ford Trophy, two Plunket Shield). Runs from Raval and Tom Latham are always super handy, yet their main job is to soak up the new-ball and lay some sort of platform for Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. The only thing here is that Raval is coming up against a South African bowling attack that will offer a far greater challenge than what Bangladesh did and Raval's leaving/defending ability will be severely tested.

The chances of Jeetan Patel being selected in the team are slim and with Williamson rolling his arm over these days, any 'filler' overs of spin can be done by the skipper. That will likely open the door for Neesham to slip in at No.6 and a middle/lower order that consists of Neesham, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner and Colin de Grandhomme offers at least 50-100 runs. However, Neil Wagner is our best Test bowler and he's gotta be in there.

I've got it as a battle between de Grandhomme and Neesham - assuming that Wagner is fit and healthy. It's a better batting line up with Neesham at No.6 and Santner pushed down a spot, yet de Grandhomme offers a lot more control with the ball and any kiwi pitch that provides some nibble is going to suit CDG.

Who knows what the Blackcaps will do in that regard and it's cool that we such options without too many negatives. If Neesham is selected, it's a massive opportunity for him to nail a role that has offered many headaches in the past 12 months or so. De Grandhomme has had a go and goes about his business in a different manner to Neesham, let's not forget Neesham has to snap up any opportunity while Corey Anderson is out of the picture. Even Scott Kuggeleijn is deserves a mention as he is dominating domestic cricket, however Kuggeleijn is out of contention for the summer; the stars have aligned for Neesham to get a shot.

Martin Guptill? Just be happy that he goes alright in ODI cricket and like everyone else, Guppy has to demand selection in whatever role at domestic level. A massive ODI knock as an opener could be 'demanding selection' although the Blackcaps Test team isn't that desperate right now and it's a luxury to tell Guppy to score Plunket Shield runs in that specific role.

Ish Sodhi? The last time Sodhi was left out of the Blackcaps, he returned to the Ford Trophy and dominated. Now he has a chance to do that in the Plunket Shield and given how likely it is that Patel will carry the drinks, Sodhi could benefit from playing four-day games rather than being part of a Blackcaps squad and not playing.