Lessons learned from N.Z. knock-out defeat

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32522, 4 February 1971, Page 22

Lessons learned from N.Z. knock-out defeat

(From D. J. CAMERON) AUCKLAND. Although it lasted barely a week, the New Zealand cricket team’s recent visit to Western Australia still presented some interesting evidence, both in relation to future expeditions such as this, and to the selection of the New Zealand team for the coming tests against England.

The first, and most important lesson, was that future New Zealand sides in the V. and G. knock-out contest must be selected bearing in mind the likely state of the pitches and the tactics now becoming standard for such matches.

Bowlers are becoming the key men in such “suddendeath” contests, and if New Zealand is to play further knock-out matches on pitches such as the high-quality one at Perth, the bowling selection is of major importance. ONE SPINNER Quite plainly, New Zealand, even before the loss of R. S. Cunis through injury, needed four fast or medium-fast bowlers for such a match, and until New Zealand produces a wristspinner of quality, H. J. Howarth is the only fulltime spinner that New ZeaZealand can afford to take on the field; Whatever the talk in Australia of casting away defensive field-settings and the encouragement of spinners, these matches wil’ continue as tight, tense games in which the medium-fast bowlers are going to be the key men. OVER-WORKED PAIR In retrospect, then, M. G. Webb, the Otago fastmedium bowler, would have been most useful at Perth. The speed and bounce of the pitch would have made him much more dangerous than he has been during the recent Plunket Shield matches. B. Andrews, of lesser speed but greater accuracy, would have been most useful, too. B. R. Taylor and R. O.

[Collinge both bowled very| well in the knock-out match,; even when the absence of Cunis meant that they had to[ be worked harder than the heat and situation required. B. E. Congdon bowled very tidily in both matches against Western Australia, but he should be used in a [supporting role to slow the scoring, or relieve one of the faster men. rather than as a first-line bowler. SUGGESTED TEAM

Not all the major ground pitches in Australia could compare with the superb strip at Perth, but the general rule is that they have the speed and bounce to encourage the faster bowlers. Thus, for the V. and G. [tourney next year, the selectors might well change their policy and pick four medium-fast men, a spinner of Howarth’s ability, a wicket-keeper and six batsmen—especially as K. J. Wadsworth and Taylor are more than useful batsmen.

The playing of a three-day match against Western Australia surrounding the knockout game was less than satisfactory—although this circumstance was peculiar to Perth and need not apply, say, at Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide where other opposition might well be available for one-, two-, or three-day games. In future tours, especially under conditions as exhausting as they were at Perth, there should be at least a one-day gap between any warm-up match and the knock-out game. This would allow injured or ill players, such as Collinge on this tour, time to recover. TURNER STRUGGLING Although some of the New Zealand batsmen had only one brief innings at Perth, and none more than two,

there were grounds for criticism of some of tbe batting. 1 M. G. Burgess, G. T. Dowl- [ ing, Congdon and R. W. Morigan, belying the theory that they would be confounded by the higher bounce, all produced good innings, and Wadsworth, playing straight and sensibly, was especially good in the knock-out match. However, it is a point of concern that G. M. Turner’s form is below the high standard he set during the last county season. He looked surprisingly vulnerable in both innings, and unless he recovers form in the NorthSouth match later this month, his test place may be under challenge from B. A. G. Murray and R. E. Redmond. G. E. Vivian had an unsuccessful tour —no bowling, [no catches, and no runs in |his one innings, T. W. Jarvis had one rather longer innings but, like Vivian, he will have a struggle to hold his place. -