In the 13-run loss to Pakistan, captain Ross Taylor (batting six), Daniel Vettori (at four) and Kane Williamson (opening) each played in their respective positions for the first time in Twenty20 internationals.
James Franklin also oscillated from being centurion Brendon McCullum's wingman, opening against Bangladesh, to scrambling for runs at No 7 against Pakistan.
The New Zealand order's unveiling was like watching cricket's version of It's In The Bag. The initial result was a booby prize but New Zealand should have won the overall prize of a trip through to the Super Eight when pool D concludes with Pakistan playing Bangladesh tonight.
As the New Zealand team's Selwyn Toogood, Hesson said such moves are the result of meticulous planning.
Taylor's shift to No 6 was the most perplexing. He is arguably New Zealand's best T20 batsman and someone Indian Premier League side the Delhi Daredevils pay in excess of US$1 million a season to demolish attacks. Why would Daniel Vettori, reliable batsman that he is, be preferred at four?
Hesson says the move was designed to break up the Pakistani bowling rhythm with left-hand/right-hand combinations.
However, the fact Taylor didn't appear for another 7.5 overs seemed to defeat the purpose. He eventually made 26 off 11 balls before getting run out. It raised questions over what might've been had he come in earlier.
"Ross and I discussed it at the time and before the game," Hesson said. "When we had lost two wickets by the start of the seventh over we wanted a left-hander in, especially with a short boundary for them on one side. When Dan got out we needed a significant run rate so Jake [with the highest strike rate in the team at 143] was sent in."
With hindsight, Taylor admitted he should have gone in earlier.
"I was tempted but we had a game plan and wanted to stick with it. Sometimes when those things come off you look like a genius; when they don't, questions are asked. I'm sure I won't be batting that low again."
Hesson said Franklin will play down the order for the rest of the tournament.
"The Bangladesh situation was a one-off against three left-arm spinners. With Martin Guptill out, we still wanted to ensure James got an opportunity lower down rather than putting him in a situation he's not going to face again.
"Also, with Pakistan bowling their spin late, we felt it was better to have experienced guys like Jake [Oram], Ross [Taylor] and Frank [Franklin] in the middle order rotating the strike.
"If a bowler can bowl more than two balls at a certain batsman then you generally have to play a big shot and that's when you lose wickets.
Hesson was comfortable with the decision to open with Williamson rather than promote McCullum.
"Kane has batted at the top of the order with Gloucestershire and last night gave him a chance to have a hit leading to the Super Eights. Using Brendon was a consideration but he's recently had such success at three."
• Andrew Alderson flew to the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka courtesy of Emirates Airline (www.emirates.com/nz).
- By Andrew Alderson of the Herald on Sunday
