No point in second-guessing Bracewell

We all remember the kid who sat in the front row at school, head down, giving the right answers and always happy to help teacher. The big question being asked in New Zealand ahead of their tour of Bangladesh is whether there is any difference between the teacher's pet and Kyle Mills?

There is a certain irony that Mills is now the likely spearhead - when New Zealand last met Bangladesh, in the 2003 World Cup - Mills had the unfortunate analysis of 0 for 32 off six overs after being handed the new ball. It must also be said that an average of 33 and a best haul of three wickets in 33 one-day appearances are hardly the credentials for a Test strike bowler.

With no record of success to speak of, one can only speculate on the reasons for his inclusion. Do the selectors see potential that is yet to be shown? Is it just that he's a nice guy? Or was it a great first-class season with the bat a couple of years ago? The best explanation I've been able to extract is that "he's keen to do the job".

What is clear is that Mills enjoys a good working relationship with the coach John Bracewell, who continues to give his charge every opportunity. He was even handed the new ball ahead of Daryl Tuffey and Ian Butler for the recent Champions Trophy match against Australia.

It is also interesting to see that only a tiny section of the New Zealand media has questioned his inclusion in the Test side. Perhaps it's because no-one expects Mills to make the starting XI. On paper it appears that Mills is the 14th man and the fifth seamer behind Butler, Chris Martin, James Franklin and Jacob Oram. The fact that five quicks were selected instead of an extra batsman is in itself odd. Was it to ensure there is a place for Mills?

Bracewell has indicated that Oram will be tried at No. 6, which would allow him the luxury of picking four other bowlers, of which two are sure to be the spinners Daniel Vettori and Paul Wiseman. Butler should be there for his pace in Shane Bond's absence, while Franklin deserves another chance after his success in the third Test at Trent Bridge in May. At best, Mills should be 12th man but, given some of Bracewell's recent selections, that is by no means a foregone conclusion.

Even leaving Mills aside, Bracewell's plans are proving hard to follow. In March he said that Brendon McCullum was the long-term answer at No. 6, and gave him a couple of knocks there against South Africa. Then in England, for no obvious reason, McCullum batted at No. 3 in the second innings in all three Tests after coming in down the order in the first.

Now Oram is in line for a promotion. While his batting is much improved following his maiden hundred against South Africa last summer, it is hard to believe he is No. 6 material for the November series against Australia.

Michael Papps's late withdrawal from the side is also ironically timely. With the likely opener dislocating his shoulder, Mathew Sinclair has received a late recall, although he should have been there from the start after a prolific tour of South Africa for New Zealand A that included a hundred and a double-century in the unofficial Test series.

Although he made an excellent 74 when he filled in for the injured Craig McMillan against South Africa in March, Sinclair was surprisingly left out of the tour of England that followed. Although he has three scores over 150 including two over 200, Sinclair's Test appearances have been unpredictably sporadic, to the point where the former international Dipak Patel recently wondered whether it might be his personality that kept him on the sidelines.

Although Hamish Marshall holds down the No. 3 spot in the one-day side, Bracewell earlier indicated he was being considered as a middle-order option for the Tests. Presumably then Sinclair will slot in at his favoured first drop, with the captain Stephen Fleming continuing as opener. However, with the number of about-turns Bracewell has done in his first year as coach, it would not be surprising to see something totally different and Sinclair carrying the drinks.