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Off the Hook
By Dave Crowe
Posted March 15
The curious thing about test cricket is that a team can be thoroughly outplayed in the two tests and yet go into the final match with a chance to win the series. It was the pitch in Auckland and the weather in Christchurch that stood on our side and must have the South Africans frustrated.
After nearly 1100 runs for only six wickets the Proteas must feel their batting is right up there. I'm afraid I can't agree. They have no idea how to dominate because in fact they are not a strong test batting side. The time they take to score runs is the key to this. They will claim that the batting records set on this tour will strengthen them but it has not been very riveting watching them grind away.
The way we batted in our first innings was not at all convincing. At lunch on the first day there was a potential for a 300 first day from the score of 104/3. That afternoon was one of our worst, only 36 runs in a session and eventually losing the last seven for 64. It was good bowling of course, but as most of the batsmen got themselves out there were really no excuses.
The choice of O'Connor as twelfth man showed that there is a need for an urgent rethink. He has had three successive six wicket hauls in recent Shell Trophy matches and has attacked with pace and swing. The South Africans are able to handle bounce bowling comfortably on true pitches so they have to be beaten in the air. That leaves two options, swing or sheer speed.
The Basin Reserve team should introduce both, in the form of O'Connor and Bulfin. The latter is frighteningly fast with the Wellington northerly behind him and there is bound to be plenty of that. O'Connor and Doull operating into the wind will swing all over the place. There is no room for a spinner. Vettori is not bowling well enough and Harris can be the fifth bowler who also will swing violently into the wind.
Nash as the fourth seamer gives us our strongest possible attack. It will not be the first time we have gone into a Basin test with an all-pace attack. Richard Hadlee was the fourth seamer chosen against India twenty years ago (Hedley Howarth was 12th man) and he routed them with 7-23.
This means we can retain the same batting lineup unless Fleming is able to replace Stead. Let's hope so for Gary Stead lacks the correct technique to succeed in test cricket as a specialist batsman. He plays everything on middle and off with a very closed face, directing the ball square on leg side, and is vulnerable to any late movement.
This is no time for experimentation with the batsmen. All the available experience will be needed to combat the aggressive fast bowling of Pollock, Klusener and probably Elworthy. Bryan Young needs to get his head right, so he plays properly forward and not on the crease line. He is not purely a backfoot player as is the popular conception. He would not have made almost 2000 test runs without getting on the front foot. It is easy to recall his brilliant coverdriving against Sri Lanka two years ago when he made 267*.
Fleming McMillan and Cairns are being missed right now so we have to call on the next best lineup of Horne, Young, Twose, Astle, Harris, Stead, Parore, Nash, O'Connor, Doull and Bulfin. There is a case for Matt Sinclair to replace Stead but Gary played well enough to have another chance although you'd better keep your fingers crossed!
Duck Country
From the Sydney Morning Herald comes a front page story about the junior team that managed eleven ducks, reminding a reader of her son 30 years ago when he came home proudly announcing he was top scorer, with 0 not out! Danny Morrison will love it.
Shell Trophy Finalists
Are Otago and Central Districts with the venue as yet undecided. It will be a five-day match starting on Friday with these two teams probably deserving of their places after a very disjointed series. The weather has been the problem with many matches unfinished,
Lara Saves Himself from the Axe
Thanks to a brilliant 212* the West Indies captain has won a reprieve, which must be an immense relief to most West Indies supporters. They are bankrupt in backup talent as well as money so the prospect of Chanderpaul coming back from injury to captain the team would not be easy for anyone. Vice-captain Jimmy Adams provided the support for the West Indies to come from 37 for 4 to 377 for 4 at the end of the second day. This is a great recovery and good news for cricket. The game needs the colourful Windies.
Meanwhile the startling Wasim Akram has just taken his second test hat-trick in successive test to put Pakistan in an unassailable position in the final of the Asian Cup with Sri Lanka. Pakistan have made all the running through the tournament and their batsmen Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam both made double centuries. This is the first time a test has been played at a neutral venue since 1912. It's all happening in cricket right now!
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