Double trouble for N.Z. cricket team

Press, 18 January 1986, Page 80

Double trouble for N.Z. cricket team

From NZPA staff correspondent, Kip Brook, in Perth

The double trouble slogan promoting the 1986 World Series Cup spectacle applies aptly to New Zealand’s cricketing dilemma in Perth this week-end.

The Kiwis have to win both games in a row under intense conditions unpalatable for the faint of heart. It will be make or break today when New Zealand plays world champions and W.S.C. favourite, India, at the Western Australian Cricket Association ground. Tomorrow, New Zealand has to claw its way back into contention by attempting to knock over the unsettled Australia. The New Zealand tour selectors, Mr Glenn Turner, Richard Hadlee, Jeremy Coney and John Wright have stayed with the same 12 as named for the last

match at Sydney. The all-rounder, Bruce Blair, and the medium pacer, Martin Snedden, have been left out again. Snedden has not played one game on the W.S.C. tour. “He bowled alright in the nets yesterday, but not quite as well today,” Turner said. “He hasn’t really looked good enough to displace anyone,” he said. The fast improving Auckland team-mate, Stu Gillespie, has made great strides since his debut in Brisbane, and is now competing Snedden out of the line up.

Blair played in Brisbane, chiefly for his useful bowling, but went for 27 off three overs when the Indians opened with both batsmen blazing. He was not named in the 12 at Sydney, but New Zealand’s bowling was not a factor in the loss to Allan Border’s team. Blair may have to sharpen his medium pace act at nets practice to stake his claim for a place. New Zealand has fond memories of the WACA ground after winning the test series over Australia six weeks ago. Fate has not been so kind to New Zealand since then.

India and Australia beating each other has only served to compound New Zealand’s perilous situation. The Indians are playing some of their finest one-day cricket. They are blessed with a glorious batting line-up, right down to No. 10. Australia again meets New Zealand after a loss to India, and will be more dangerous than ever. “We really have to compete with success this weekend. We haven’t put our batting together with our bowling yet and that’s been the trouble,” said Turner. “A lot of thought has gone into these games, and hope-

fully we’ll be back in the winners’ circle again.” The batting needs greater authority and the hot atmosphere — weather and tension — will be a great test of courage for John Wright and John Reid, neither of whom have struck willow with their usual panache. Apart from Martin Crowe and Bruce Edgar at Brisbane, none of the Kiwis have reproduced their test form. It would be as good a time as any for one of the kings of modem day cricket, Richard Hadlee, to change New Zealand’s treacherous course.