Chris Cairns: The loss of Chris Cairns due to his knee problems was clearly the most disappointing feature of the summer. After showing such outstanding form in scoring the match-winning century in the ICC KnockOut tournament, he had much to offer the side. In the end he couldn't do it on one leg and the hope has to be for the summers ahead that his surgery restores him quickly to something like the form so beautifully exhibited this year. Perhaps, with the emergence of young fast-medium bowlers there will not be the pressure on him to bowl so much.

Craig McMillan: One of the finest moments of New Zealand's summer had to be at Jade Stadium in the fourth game against Pakistan when Craig McMillan unveiled the future of his one-day career by finally managing the one-day century that he has for so long been capable of. It was a thrilling innings which carried McMillan over the divide that had left him only an also-ran among one-day batsmen. The manner of his attack was superb, and the result of consistently getting better during the home season. His bowling had its moments, but he is perhaps best suited to a shock-stock type of role and not a front line performer. There is nothing wrong with that and it could be a decidedly useful asset.

Chris Harris: Now New Zealand's greatest wicket-taker in ODIs and also now the finest mid to lower order batsman the country has produced. Harris' batting has a level of consistency to it that can only be admired and its worth to this country's ODI efforts is immeasurable. His bowling seemed to develop to a newer level this year as he offered variety via his traditional inswingers and his newer leg rollers. Supplanting Sir Richard Hadlee was a notable milestone and there is every chance that 200 wickets in ODIs are not beyond him in the next summer or two.

Nathan Astle: It was an unusual year for Nathan Astle. For the first time he struggled for consistency in his game. He seemed to wear that frustration with more weight than had previously been the case from him. But he has been too good a player for too long not to work his way out of it. Ironically, it was the better quality of bowling on better batting wickets in the South Island that brought the best out of him. His bowling was not called on quite so often but he still managed to pick up 18 wickets. Is next summer the year in which Astle truly makes his mark among the finest ODI batsmen in the world? It should be worth watching.

Lou Vincent: Chances are that by next summer the cricket world will be heralding the arrival of a new fielding star in Lou Vincent. His infectious style inside the circle has seen him win over a goodly proportion of the New Zealand cricket public very quickly. He has shown stickability at the crease, inventiveness in his stroke play and a willingness to mix it. If he can retain those qualities while piecing together bigger scores he is assured of a big future. Having someone hungry for runs, even if they are just singles, in the middle order, has to be good for the side overall.

Craig Spearman: From all indications it would seem that Craig Spearman's international career may be over. It has been a frustrating career for himself and the public. His ability to clout the cover off the ball is undoubted, but it was all too rarely seen in international play, and his failure to produce meant the selectors were constantly on the lookout for someone who could succeed. That was doubly disappointing. It meant Spearman did not have the confidence of the selectors, and New Zealand didn't have stability where it is most needed in a one-day batting line-up.

Stephen Fleming: Critics would be surprised at the number of runs alongside Stephen Fleming's name after what has been a summer of disappointment for him with the bat. But there was finally satisfaction in the New Zealand record-breaking partnership, for all wickets, with Nathan Astle as the side won the National Bank series in Dunedin on Wednesday night. And the straight lofted six he unleashed was one of the shots of the summer. More importantly than his batting however, is the fact that Fleming looks set to play a much greater role in the side's direction in the future. That is to be welcomed and some interesting captaincy input to the side and its tactics could be the off shoot.

Mathew Sinclair: Mathew Sinclair has a role to play in New Zealand's ODI game but he needs to work out exactly what it should be. His 85 in Wellington was a stunning example of his capabilities but there were too many other moments when unable to cope with getting away to a start that left him vulnerable. He should be left to develop that confidence in the longer game, and then once on top of it to be given his chance again in ODIs.

Jacob Oram: If there was an award for the most inspired selection of the summer Jacob Oram would win it. By all the standards by which players are measured for international cricket he was probably a player who was still a year or two down the line in most thinking. But circumstances dictated otherwise. His leadership of the Shell Cup-winning side was an obvious example development. His strike rate is the best of all the top order players and offers immense promise for New Zealand as he gains experience. Not afraid to hit the ball, he's not afraid to front up at the bowling crease. A big mover.

Dion Nash: Hovering around the edges of the national side is the presence of Dion Nash. Not quite fit enough to force his way back into the side, the thought is there that he still has something to offer. He lends length to the batting order and offers fire from the bowling crease. But his absence this year has allowed some potential replacements to strike out for themselves. Nash would be welcomed back but his recovery is bound to be one of the interesting points over the winter.

Scott Styris: Injury cut down Scott Styris at just the wrong time in the summer. But he showed enough to suggest he has a role to play in the future, not only for his medium pace bowling but also for his pinch hitting. His batting strike rate is most impressive but his bowling percentages do need some improvement. The talent is there however, and so is the incentive with so much competition for places.

Adam Parore: Adam Parore's commitment to the team cause was obvious from his willingness to move into the troublesome opening spot. However, he must be better use to the side down the order with the capability of coming in late and smacking some quick runs. As a wicket-keeper he stood up well all summer to some pretty rigorous demands and it is difficult to remember any notable lowering of standards by him.

Chris Nevin: Chris Nevin's treatment by the selectors is one of the mysteries of the summer. He scored 68 at the top of the order in the fourth ODI in South Africa and then returned home to be cast out and not looked at again. Perhaps the injury worries he suffered earlier in the tour worked against him. But given that other players during the summer were persevered with for longer, he deserved better. While he did struggle in the Shell Cup, it must be wondered how much of a knock his confidence took when not needed for the Zimbabwe series. Well capable of coming back as a potential opener.

Andrew Penn: It is one of the great shames of the summer that Andrew Penn failed to take his chance against Sri Lanka. He had been in good enough form to suggest that he was well capable of taking a key role in bowling proceedings, but he fell apart at the wrong time. With others having come into the picture in the meantime, and others to recover from injury, Penn may struggle for another chance.

Daniel Vettori: The economy rate with Daniel Vettori's bowling figures, and his strike rate with the bat, tell the story of why he has such a key role in this New Zealand side. The hope has to be that he has not been rushed back too soon. He bowled some beautiful deliveries during the Pakistan series and is clearly the finest practitioner of his art in the world. A delight to watch and competitive to boot, he has a huge summer next year when his career will be considerably more advanced than is already the case.

Glen Sulzberger: Called up as a replacement for Southern Africa, Glen Sulzberger is clearly ranked in the top four of New Zealand's spinners and his exposure to international play will have helped bolster what has been one of the areas of alarm in New Zealand's game, spin bowling. While having to take a back seat to Paul Wiseman, Sulzberger is a competitive player and can be expected to make life as tough as possible for the incumbent which will be for the benefit of all.

James Franklin: In the absence of Shayne O'Connor due to injury, James Franklin made every post a winner and impressed with his approach and attitude. He has long term prospect written all over him and it will be interesting to see where he fits into the scheme of things once O'Connor has recovered from injury. It may be that Franklin remains on the fringes rather than a first choice selection for a year or two, but that was the same fate Richard Hadlee suffered early in his career so it would not be a death sentence. This is a prime talent and a player well worth having as part of New Zealand's future.

Daryl Tuffey: Daryl Tuffey wants to play international cricket. That is obvious from the way he applied himself upon his return from Africa. His efforts for Northern Districts insisted he be called up when the opening occurred and he took it with both hands. The selectors could not have asked for more. There were times when he was hit around, but Tuffey kept coming back for more and that has to be a key asset. The experience will have done him the world of good and he too is shaping as a member of the New Zealand side of the future.

Chris Martin: Chris Martin was always going to struggle with One-Day International cricket, he simply hadn't played enough Shell Cup cricket to have the experience to survive in the hothouse that involves some of the best batsmen in the world in the respective top orders he faced. Martin, at the moment, appeals most as a Test bowler. In many ways his situation is the equivalent of Sinclair's batting, they need more time to harness their one-day skills before being exposed again.

Geoff Allott: The bowling economy rate of Geoff Allott sums up what has been another summer of frustration for him. Still suffering the ravaging effects of back injuries he wasn't able to bowl at his best and to have an economy rate of 5.67 is not a fair indication of his abilities. Time will tell about his future and it is to be hoped that he can regain the qualities seen in the 1999 World Cup but it seems it will take a lot of work with no guarantee that he will not suffer again. That is disappointing for all who admired the way in which he came through in England.

Shayne O'Connor: It is ironic that when looking at Shayne O'Connor's economy rate, the figure of 5.33 suggests he struggled. But alongside that there is his strike rate, and at a wicket off every 34.4 balls they do not come too much better. Having been on the receiving end of some outlandish hitting against New Zealand sides, O'Connor did have the satisfaction of taking his career best figures of 5-46 against Pakistan in the ICC KnockOut semi-final. He was bowling faster and swinging the ball more this year, he still has to be a key contender if he can regain his best touch as New Zealand heads to Australia and faces England at home next summer.

Paul Wiseman: As Vettori is regarded as New Zealand's preferred one-day spinner, Paul Wiseman is always going to struggle for ODI match play. But he should not be discounted as a back-up, especially if in the next season or two Harris ends his association with the game. Wiseman needs to consistently help his province regain a dominance in Shell Cup play and to become the sort of bowler who can bleed the life out of opposing sides. Spin has a role to play in one-day play and Wiseman, as he gains more experience could be a key support man in the development of Stephen Fleming's side in the lead up to the next World Cup.

Brooke Walker: Brooke Walker is only starting out in international cricket. As a potential leg spinning all-rounder he is an exciting prospect. But to be a highly-competitive one-day player he needs many more overs yet before becoming a first choice consideration for international selection. He gives the ball a good tweak, plays the game with good concentration and application but needs more match play to be a contender for selection.

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