Border-back to business

Press, 26 January 1988, Page 44

Border-back to business

NZPA-AAP Sydney Allan Border’s World Series Cup winning Australians celebrated on Sunday evening but it will be back to business midweek for the clash with England on the S.C.G. starting on Friday. “Getting back to test match cricket won’t be easy after the one-day hype,” said Border yesterday. “Even donning the white clothing and using the red ball — one not two — takes a mental transition. “England will be tough — some of the big names missing but still good competitive cricketers. "I didn’t want to lose the second W.S.C. final and wind up in Melbourne for the decider,” said Border. “We needed a break

then the adjustment on Wednesday and Thursday in the nets.” Border was keenly disappointed the Sydney fans did not see the W.S.C. trophy presented to his triumphant band. “I would have liked to have done a victory lap to show the Cup to the mob who had supported us,” said Border. But S.C.G. Trust officials were thin on the ground with security staff after police and attendants had been switched to the nearby football stadium opening late afternoon on Sunday. Border was in reflective mood after his postscript triumph to a 1-0 test serries win and the World Cup victory over England in India. “We won, not because the Kiwis are going down-

hill, but because Australia had improved visibly,” said the Australian captain. “We are now taking and holding our catches, the bowlers drop right on to line and length, and the batting is solid.” Border said Australia’s need was to improve the talent available. © The New Zealand cricket captain, Jeff Crowe, is keen to stay in charge for the three-test series with England starting next month. Crowe, aged 29, had a disastrous personal tour of Australia with the bat. He made only 158 runs in first-class matches on tour at 14.36, 78 runs in six completed; t- test innings, and 137 runs from eight World Series Cup one-day

games. Crowe knows that winning friends does not guarantee a test spot and he will be looking for runs in the Shell Trophy matches leading up to the first test in Christchurch starting on February 12. “I’ll play all games that are available. I’ll go back to the nets and work on my technique and keep battling on,” he said. “I’ve got to start thinking about scoring three figures. I probably need two hundreds. “You’ve got to have performances on the board to be picked in any side,” he said. Meanwhile, the New Zealand coach, Gren Alabaster, is yet to confirm his availability for the home test series against England.