Dykes to consult over NZ batting woes (2 June 1999)

2 June 1999

Dykes to consult over NZ batting woes

Geoff Longley

National cricket selection panel chief Ross Dykes will consult coach Steve Rixon about possible changes to the Black Caps batting order before their first Super Six match against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

Dykes said he did not want to speculate on alterations to the order until talking with Rixon in England.

"Looking at things from 12,000 miles away cannot quite give you the whole picture and I wouldn't want anything said here to be misconstrued."

However, Dykes is concerned about the poor starts the Black Caps innings have had. The batsmen have battled pitch conditions favouring the bowlers and the Duke ball, which is more prone to swing markedly early.

It has been suggested Adam Parore and Roger Twose move up the order to combat the moving ball.

"There could be some merit in making an alteration with the order because of the prevailing conditions, but equally players are used to settled roles and change can be disruptive.

"We have to be conscious of our over-all philosophy which is how we structured the order."

Dykes felt organisers would have to look at the World Cup format after Australia's attempt at manipulating New Zealand out of the Super Six play-offs. "It does not seem to be what the one-day game is all about."

Dykes is optimistic the Black Caps can progress to the semi-finals in forthcoming matches against Zimbabwe, South Africa, and India next week.

"It looks like two more wins would get New Zealand through to the semi-finals.

"Without denigrating Zimbabwe, playing them first up is good because we will be confident against them. And then we face the other two teams with whom we have had good competitive series in New Zealand this past season."

New Zealand beat Zimbabwe, 4-1, in the last series between the teams in New Zealand two seasons ago, while last summer it drew 2-2 with India before losing to South Africa, 3-2. Dykes also hopes that by using the major English grounds for the Super Six play-offs, and if the weather warms up, it may negate the advantage of winning the toss.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket is still accepting overseas applications for the Black Caps coaching job, despite the deadline expiring last Friday.

A delay in the coaching position being advertised abroad persuaded NZC to extend the cut-off date for overseas applicants until June 9. The contracts of coach Rixon and manager John Graham expire at the end of the England tour in August.

"We had good interest in both jobs and are very pleased with the quality of applicants, particularly the manager's job," operations manager John Reid said.

Former internationals John Wright and John Bracewell are considered early coaching favourites. They were sent job specifications in England, where they are coaching counties Kent and Gloucester respectively.

Reid is determined to have both positions filled before New Zealand's tour of India in October.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)