History against N.Z. one-day cricket victory

Press, 9 January 1986, Page 26

History against N.Z. one-day cricket victory

NZPA staff correspondent Melbourne History will be on Australia’s side when it attempts to go one-up in the opening World Series Cup match against New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.

New Zealand has succumbed to the power of Australia in five out of six games at the M.C.G. In total, the Kiwis have won only eight of 21 onedayers against Australia since 1974. Yet the mood and spirit of the Australians is light years away from the dashing sides of the 19705. The New Zealand captain, Jeremy Coney, yesterday stressed that Australia could not be under-rated despite its recent grim form in test cricket. The potential star qualities of Greg Matthews, the brilliance of Allan Border and the blistering pace of Craig McDermott will all be on show today. Australia goes into the 1986 W.S.C. festival shell-shocked, but at the same time thirsting for success and seeking to spark off a new era. New Zealand’s front-line performers, Richard Hadlee, Martin Crowe, John Wright, John Reid and John Bracewell have, however, looked in menacing touch building up to the clash. Failure by Australia to reach the one-day finals would be quite unpalatable to the fans who indulge in unending post-mortems. They can not stomach their lowly trough in world cricket and now the heat is on to win tonight. The Australian public has slated the players, the selectors, the Australian Cricket Board, one-day bias and anything else for the recent run of comparative trag-

edies. Few Australians would graciously accept the temporary state and heap praise on the opposition. One exception is a former Australian wicket-keeper and national coach, Brian Taber. “People have been very critical of our team,” said Mr Taber yesterday. “They forget that New Zealand is a very good side. “Look at Richard Hadlee, obviously one of the best players in the world at this stage. The leadership is excellent and they all perform well,” he said. Hadlee is a clear leader to win the Benson and Hedges international cricketer of the year award from his team-mate, Martin Crowe. Mr Taber said it was up to the Australian players to lift their game and get back on to a winning streak. The team to score 230 or 240 today would go one up in the series, said Mr Taber, who helped prepare the test players early in the season. Yesterday the Kiwis brought their one-day skills to a peak with an open wicket practice at La Trobe University. The cricket manager, Glenn Turner, believes New Zealand already holds an advantage. “We have had five lead-up games and should be pretty well in tune by the time we get out there tomorrow,” he said. “Every match is critical but it makes it easier if

you start with a win.” • The sight of the All Black lock, Andy Haden, at an Australian Cricket Board media function raised eyebrows among the press yesterday. Haden, however, was attending the A.C.B. promotion in his sporting business capacity. He mingled with the Australian cricketers and it came as a surprise to learn he was a shade shorter than the West Australian fast bowler, Bruce Reid. The All Black forward said he would watch today’s match before flying to Auckland. The highlight of the function was an entertaining speech by the Australian vice-captain, David Hookes. In Allan Border’s absence, Hookes introduced members of the Australian side to the media. He told the gathering how the newcomer, Steve Waugh, had got his nickname, Drobe. “Wayne Phillips and Allan Border were in the slips trying to sort out a nickname for him,” said Hookes. “Obvious things came up like Evelyn, Vietnam, Korea and Flipper (Wayne Phillips) said Drobe. “Border said DrobeWaugh, Drobe-Waugh — he couldn’t work out it should have been Wardrobe. “So we left Allan to think about it for a couple of overs before Flipper put him out of his misery,” said Hookes.