Cricketers confident

Press, 7 December 1988, Page 84

Cricketers confident

NZPA-AAP Canberra New Zealand is confident of a strong performance today against Australia in the Shell Bicentennial Women’s World Cup cricket match at Manuka Oval. The New Zealand captain; Lesley Murdoch, said the team had been building up for a big effort against the powerful Australian team and its performance leading up to this match gave indications the side was on track for a big game. “We have been faced With a tough schedule but the girls have adjusted well and have been working to a plan,” Murdoch said.

"Losing our main strike bowler in Nancy Williams hasn’t helped but her replacement, Catherine Campbell, is a class spinner, and most of the Australians may not have played against her.

“The Australians have a very strong side and we have to respect their lineup. “Our batters have been performing extremely well too and I think we can give them a tough game.

“In the match against England, which we lost narrowly, we made too many mistakes and hopefully have rectified those. Some of the boundaries have been a bit short in

the lead-up matches and the high scores may be a bit doubtful but the ground here is very big and looks ideal to play on.”

Although not putting emphasis on any particular player, Murdoch named Debbie Hockley, Nicki Turner and Jackie Clark as the main strength in the New Zealand batting, but believed the all-round talent of the team would be required to beat the Australians.

The Australian captain, Lyn Larsen, was hoping the game would be close as she felt her team needed a solid hit-out before the final of the series in Melbourne.