Santner is currently ranked in the top 10 bowlers. Only Boult is ranked higher than him. I don't get why so many NZ fans would want to discard him so swiftly. He seems to get more dues from Indian fans.
Santner was huge last year in winning Chappel Hadlee. He regularly performs and is world class. 10 overs today - 1 for 34 - simply outstanding. Even without bags of wickets. He is doing a Larsenesque role very very well. If batsmen target him - he will get more wickets. Thats the nature of limited overs.
Astle took 2 wickets - but went at 7s and didn't bowl out. Santner's 10 are overs KW can almost bank on safely. Game in game out. Ferguson, CDG, Astle - less so. Good thing Munro can bowl a few.
Sodhi needs to pip his head past Astle if he wants to play more ODI cricket. Remember when Sodhi played as 2nd spinner for NZ - its typically a better pitch for spinners - Hamilton or India for example.
I agree with JJ re Santner in the test team. Santner is struggling in tests. He is batting too high for his present skillat 6 and not taking wickets when batsmen are under no pressure to score. I think Astle is possibly a better choice here right now. Sodhi aint gonna bat 6 or 7 in the test team and doesn't deserve a spot ahead of Astle automatically with his bowling average, aggressive or not. He lost the 'bowl out' they had in India. And didn't do much in his last test series there. Sodhi will get more opportunities and A tours tho. I think its Astle's turn for a crack at tests if Santner is dropped.
