Thaindian News

Wellington, Jan 24 (ANI): New Zealand paceman Hamish Bennett is happy to find his way as a change bowler despite being an obvious candidate to open the bowling in one-day international cricket.

Bennett played a co-starring role alongside Tim Southee in New Zealand’s nine-wicket defeat of Pakistan in the first of six one-day matches here on Saturday.

The pair were expected to open the bowling but James Franklin took the new ball alongside man of the match Southee, who took five for 33 from 9.3 overs, with Bennett the second change, Stuff.co.nz reports.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said a horses-for-courses approach was being taken with the bowling lineup.

“I think we’ll look to use James, particularly in Queenstown where the wicket probably suits the swing and seam bowler. When we get to the likes of Hamilton and Napier, maybe we’ll revisit it on the flatter wickets,” Vettori said.

Vettori believed Bennett, who took three for 26 from eight overs in just his third one-day international, was better suited to first or second change, Stuff.co.nz reports.

“I think that’s where he’s most comfortable, but if he keeps bowling as well as he did (on Saturday), there’s no reason why he can’t step up into that opening role. We just hope he keeps performing that way,” he said.

Bennett, 23, who is the quickest bowler in the team, said he enjoyed being introduced later in the innings. He was still able to gain enough movement to be a handful, Stuff.co.nz reports. (ANI)