‘N.Z. in town but nobody seems to care

Press, 24 October 1980, Page 24

‘N.Z. in town but nobody seems to care

NZPA Melbourne The arrival of the New Zealand cricket team has failed to regenerate the excitement of recent summers, according to a report in the “Melbourne Age” yesterday. “The cricket team with no names began its Australian campaign yesterday in front of an expatriate New Zealander, a few paper people, and the secretary of the St Kilda Cricket Club. New Zealand was in town but nobody seemed to care,” wrote Geoff Slattery.

“There is no anticipation of cricket glory, no tension, no names.” Slattery said that the New Zealand captain, Geoff Howarth, remained untouched, “in fact surprised,” by apparent local indifference to the tour. “We would not be classified with England and the West Indies as regards drawing power, but we (New Zealand and India) are two good sides. You have done well over recent seasons, but we have done well too,” said Howarth. Slattery wrote that not so long ago, such a statement would have been treated “with some scorn.”

“But impressive World Cup performances last year (a win over India and a nine-run loss to England) and a series win over the awesome West Indies last summer, have changed all that. Suddenly the New Zealanders have a new confidence, a winning feeling,” he wrote. Slattery noted that it might have had something to do with New Zealand’s inexperience in the international cricket scene, “but there was a refreshing iack of arrogance, no sign of brashness, no bignoting, and no sarcasm at yesterday’s session.

“It was just work, fun and the game. Nobody tried to outdo the other. They all worked together for the team.” V ? ; He quoted Howarth , as saying he would be. the first to shoot down any signs of arrogance or over-confidence. “We enjoy our game, we play it hard. New Zealand sportsmen -are as competitive as anyone in the world. And it’s a New Zealand trait not to be cocky. We will tell our tale the way we play,” said Howarth.

“We are not all big hitters, we don’t bowl at 90 miles an hour, and we don’t send dowm six bouncers an over, but I know we’ll produce good cricket,” he said. New Zealand will play a 50-over match against St Kilda on Sunday, and has • arranged for other scratch ; matches today and next | Tuesday.