Stokes leads England contingent with four Kiwis also in the side
Friday 2 March 2018 23:54, UK
With a handful of batsmen in the runs but few bowlers in the wickets, I’ve decided to pack the batting this week. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar due in at No 10 there is plenty of depth!
SHIKHAR DHAWAN (India)
Scored an important 47 to help India take the T20 trophy in Cape Town. Despite not looking in his most free-flowing form he found a way to make runs and finished as top scorer in the three-match series.
MARTIN GUPTILL (New Zealand)
Had to rein in his naturally attacking instincts in Mount Maunganui as New Zealand lost early wickets. Would've been disappointed not to have gone on having got to 50 - he'd done the hard work.
JOE ROOT (England) - captain
Despite missing the T20 Tri-Series, he showed no signs of rust with a composed half-century in the first ODI. Provided a fascinating contrast with Jason Roy - as Roy was trying to bludgeon the ball at the other end with little success, Root managed to score much quicker while seemingly expending much less effort.
ROSS TAYLOR (New Zealand)
Rescued the team from 27-3 with an 18th ODI century in Hamilton. Perhaps doesn't get the credit he deserves - only 14 men in history have passed three figures more times in the format and at 33 he should keep moving up the list.
BEN STOKES (England)
Well that didn't take long. Stokes contributed in all three disciplines in the second ODI, England are simply a much better side with him in the XI. Not that it was ever in question but it says a lot for his mental strength that he can put in a performance like that so soon into his comeback.
TOM LATHAM (New Zealand)
Played a big part in the Hamilton win by putting on 178 with Taylor when New Zealand were in desperate need of a partnership. The middle order may not be his natural position but he's adapted pretty well to the challenge.
JOS BUTTLER (England) - wicketkeeper
Landed an important psychological blow on Ish Sodhi by hitting him for three successive sixes in the first ODI. Followed up that innings with another aggressive one in Mount Maunganui as England romped home.
CHRISTIAAN JONKER (South Africa)
Showed no nerves on debut to smash a 24-ball 49 in the final T20. At 31 years old he might not have too much international cricket in him but at least he has something to tell the grandchildren. In this side he will have to bat eight due to his lack of experience!
MITCHELL SANTNER (New Zealand)
Very impressive under pressure as he smashed the Black Caps to a win which at one point looked like it might slip through their grasp. Starting to look like a genuine white ball all-rounder.
BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR (India)
Made sure the Proteas were always behind in the run chase at Newlands with a fantastic opening spell. Seems to make the Team of the Week more than any other bowler!
DAWLAT ZADRAN (Afghanistan)
The ICC World Cup Qualifiers start on Sunday and the warm-up games have highlighted just how exciting they could be. Afghanistan upset the Windies in Harare after Dawlat's hat-trick saw them bowled out for 110. Dawlat gives the Afghan attack a genuine pace threat and the opposition batsmen something else to worry about other than the spinners.
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