*Cricket Articles Archive-No Comments* - Page 46

Hodge and Johnson fight for Watson's spot

Symonds offers to lift his pace

Cricinfo staff

April 7, 2007



Brad Hodge has been keeping busy as he waits for another opportunity Getty Images



Andrew Symonds is prepared to employ his medium-pace to help Australia cover the loss of Shane Watson against England on Sunday. Symonds, who has delivered only offspin since returning from arm surgery, hopes to be back to full bowling fitness in time for the match as the team runs through its options after losing an allrounder.

Mitchell Johnson is a chance of coming in but if Symonds is able to increase his pace it opens the way for Brad Hodge to return. "I'm not far off," Symonds said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "With Shane being injured, I think it is just a bit of cushioning for Ricky Ponting if he needs to have someone else to go to for medium-pace in a Powerplay or something, or just wants to change it up a bit."

Watson is due to have a review on his injured left calf and James Hopes, the Queensland allrounder, has been placed on standby in Australia. While Hopes waits for a phone call, Hodge is desperate for a recall after scoring a century against The Netherlands before being squeezed out by Symonds.

Hodge has been staying in shape by undergoing a draining exercise program. "It's pretty much the only way to keep yourself sane when you are running the drinks most of the time," Hodge said in The Australian. "I just think it's an important part of training.

"You have got to keep yourself mentally ready and quite strong. I am just trying to keep myself as busy and as fit as I possibly can." If Australia decide to pick Johnson and attack England with four fast bowlers then Hodge will spend more time on the sidelines.

"It's a couple of nervous days ahead," Hodge said. "I guess the good thing is I have played well over the last two months. The confidence is definitely there. It's just a matter of seeing which way the side fits best, and hopefully I'll get a game."

'I would love to finish on a high at this World Cup'

Too much cricket taking a toll on McMillan

Cricinfo staff

April 6, 2007



Craig McMillan: "I've been going since I was 20 so that's close to ten years and it has been a long time" Getty Images



Craig McMillan feels a hectic cricket schedule is taking a toll on his body, and admits that retirement may not be far away. He said he was enjoying the West Indies, especially because six months ago he was not expecting to be there, but conceded he was unlikely to add to his three World Cup trips.

"It can be a rollercoaster at times," he told Reuters. "I'm not going to put a time on anything but there is a good chance this could be my last World Cup. I've been going since I was 20 so that's close to ten years and it has been a long time. I would love to finish on a high at this World Cup with a very good side."

McMillan, 30, feared that too much cricket could shorten the careers of top-class athletes. "There is a lot more cricket played these days," he said. "It's something they [the cricket boards and the ICC] need to look at because combined with the Test tours it can get very tough.

"Maybe you will get guys just playing one form of the game. That might be a way to sustain yourself and stay involved for the last two or three years of your career, maybe forgoing one-dayers so they can play Test cricket for the last two or three years."

McMillan said a maiden World Cup title for New Zealand would be incredible. "From a personal point of view I've really enjoyed this World Cup," he said. "So I'm hoping to contribute to what will hopefully be a special tournament for New Zealand."

New Zealand have been tipped by many, not least including Ian Chappell and Sir Viv Richards, to make it to the final of the tournament. McMillan looked at the side's success so far as a "very satisfying" experience and was confident they would go all the way.

"One of our strengths is that we bat low down and we're strong in the last ten overs and I think that will become prevalent in the last few games of the tournament," he said. "The thing about our game so far is that we haven't relied on one person. Some teams rely on one or two players and you know that if you put them under pressure then the rest of the side is under pressure. The strength for New Zealand is that we have guys from one to 11 who can, on his day, win a game."

A look at New Zealand's recent chases in a 3-0 sweep of Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee Series is testament to McMillan's words. New Zealand's next match is against Ireland on Monday.

New Zealand bowler hopes for stress-free World Cup

Franklin sweats on migraines

April 6, 2007



James Franklin on his migraine attacks: 'I feel as though I've been smacked in the head by a heavyweight boxer' Getty Images



James Franklin, the New Zealand left-arm swing bowler, is hoping his blinding migraine attacks will not ruin his World Cup dreams.

Franklin, 26, said that he first suffered from the problem when he was 12 and never knows when he will be struck down again. During New Zealand's Super Eights win over Bangladesh in Antigua on Monday, he was forced to leave the field with another migraine attack.

"It happened in the match against Bangladesh and it disappointed me as it just comes from nowhere. It came on in the game just after the drinks break," said Franklin. "I feel as though I've been smacked in the head by a heavyweight boxer but then I feel as though I can get on with it."

Franklin bowled just six overs to add to his three in the match against the West Indies last week. "Before Hobart [in February] I hadn't had a migraine for 18 months and the last time was in Zimbabwe during a Test match there. Obviously it disappointed me as it just comes from nowhere."

Franklin is now hoping the attacks stay away when New Zealand look to boost their push for a World Cup semi-final place when they take on Ireland in Antigua on Monday. "I hope it doesn't hinder me for the rest of the tournament. I don't know the scientific reason why it hits me. All I can do is prepare as well as I can. I get tunnel vision and a headache that spikes me.

"In the drinks break [against Bangladesh] I was fine but when I tried to focus on something it was all blurred. I bowled an over after that and it was a blur and in the later part it was all blue vision."

Franklin took two wickets in each of the group wins against England and Kenya before being wicketless in the Super Eights wins over the West Indies and Bangladesh. "My role has actually changed a bit in the last couple of games. I haven't found lot of swing. After the first five or six overs it tends to go away so I have brought in variations.

"I have done a bit while opening the bowling and coming on first change but my figures haven't been great. Hopefully against Ireland I can make amends. We have been pretty good so far in the sense that we have been concentrating on each game as it comes. We were very clinical against Bangladesh the other day."

Franklin said New Zealand will guard against complacency in their match against Ireland, knowing fully well that a win could ensure their spot in the last four. "It's great for Ireland to be here in the Super Eights, they did a great job in their group. They are here for a reason because they have been playing very good cricket so we must be on our toes."

New Zealand batsman 'a 70% chance' of facing Ireland

Weather hampers Taylor's recovery

Cricinfo staff

April 5, 2007



Ross Taylor is desperate to get back in the middle Getty Images



Ross Taylor believes he has a 70% chance of playing against Ireland on Monday - provided the fickle Guyana weather holds out. Torrential rain stopped New Zealand from training on Wednesday and meant Taylor could not test his recovery from a hamstring strain.

He said the injury was improving but it had been disappointing to be on the sidelines so far in the Super Eights. "It's getting better slowly," Taylor told AFP. "It's been quite frustrating, but hopefully on Thursday, weather permitting, I can start sprinting and give it more of a test. Hopefully I will have a better idea of where I am.

"There was only a slight tear in the game against Kenya and it has taken two weeks to get over it. I ran at about 80% in Antigua. I am praying that I can start sprinting on Thursday."

The rainy conditions in Guyana could not only hinder Taylor's recovery but might also hamper New Zealand's efforts to keep up their unbeaten run. "It could put us back a little bit if it was to rain and we were to share the points with Ireland," Taylor said. "But if we can continue with the way we have been playing, I am sure we can overcome Ireland - if we do play."

The two teams have never met in an ODI but Taylor said New Zealand would be wary of Ireland after their upset win over Pakistan to qualify for the Super Eights. "It's obviously a team we don't play very often, if at all," he said.

"We just have to get information from the games they have played in the tournament. Hopefully, that's enough to get us through. If we can do that, then come semi-final time, we will be ready to go."

New Zealand and Australia are the only two unbeaten teams remaining in the competition. After they face Ireland, New Zealand's Super Eights campaign continues with a string of tough matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia.

Champion says team peaking at the right time

'New Zealand will be hard to beat' - Richards

Cricinfo staff

April 4, 2007



Viv Richards: "I thought the loss of Lou Vincent was a blow but they seem to be dealing with his loss, and that augurs well" Getty Images



Viv Richards has added his voice to the list of experts singing the praises of New Zealand at the World Cup. Richards said New Zealand were capable of winning the tournament, even though they were slipping under the radar of some viewers.

"I like New Zealand's approach," Richards told The New Zealand Herald. "They're quietly bubbling away, making no noise, and getting stronger by the day. They're just going about their work with the minimum of fuss and bother; getting things done quietly but surely - I think they like it like that."

Richards' comments came after Ian Chappell tipped New Zealand as the only side who could seriously challenge Australia. Richards said New Zealand were impressive in their 3-0 Chappell-Hadlee Trophy win over Australia and had carried their form through to the Caribbean.

"You just get the feeling they're peaking at the right time, and they've got all contingencies covered," he said. "They've got a good squad, they seem confident and in good form, and I can see them sneaking up on everyone."

Even New Zealand's injury concerns - Lou Vincent and Daryl Tuffey have flown home, Ross Taylor has a hamstring strain and Mark Gillespie had a viral infection in his shoulder - did not seem to upset their balance, Richards said. "I thought the loss of Lou Vincent was a blow for New Zealand - and I still do, really," he said.

"With him they had all the ingredients: maximum flexibility and the potential to start off strongly, as well as finish with a bang. But they seem to be dealing with his loss, and that augurs well for them. I think New Zealand will be hard to beat."

Like Australia, New Zealand remain undefeated after five games. Their next match is against Ireland in Guyana on Monday.

Taylor in line for Ireland match

Cricinfo staff

April 4, 2007



Ross Taylor has missed three games since making 85 against Kenya Getty Images



Ross Taylor could be fit for New Zealand's next Super Eights match, against Ireland in Guyana on Monday. Taylor strained his hamstring a fortnight ago when he attempted a quick single during his innings of 85 against Kenya.

He has missed New Zealand's three games since then, which along with Lou Vincent's tournament-ending broken wrist, has forced a reshuffle in the top order. However, Taylor said he was not far off returning to the side.

"For the last few days I have been gradually increasing my workload at practice, starting with a few gentle stretching exercises to the point where I am now starting to stretch out fully," Taylor told AFP. "I'm hopeful of being ready for Ireland in Guyana in a week's time.

"I had a similar injury a few years ago and then I tried to rush my recovery and tweaked it again, setting me back an extra week. I certainly don't want to do it that again."

Stephen Fleming said he was confident Taylor would be ready against Ireland, which would mean one batsman making way to allow Taylor to slot back in at No. 3. Peter Fulton has struggled since being made a makeshift opener, scoring 0 and 15, but Fleming indicated Fulton might play.

"I'm not overly concerned, Pete's been in good form," Fleming told NZPA. "We've asked him to do a role that's a little bit foreign to him and it takes time to adjust. He just needs to find a tempo at the top of the innings. We've got a game against Ireland which will be another opportunity."

Michael Mason is also in doubt for Monday's match after straining his calf during his second over against Bangladesh. Should Mason be unavailable, New Zealand might play Chris Martin, who was a replacement for the injured Daryl Tuffey, or Mark Gillespie, who has been out of action for a month with a viral infection in his right shoulder.

Fleming said Gillespie had now recovered and was available to play. "He's in contention now so the only challenge the selectors have is he hasn't played for four weeks," Fleming said. "We have to make sure the work he does in practice is as close to match simulation as possible and that's often difficult to do."

Squad to play in emerging players tournament in July

James Marshall named captain of New Zealand A

Cricinfo staff

April 5, 2007



James Marshall has been handed the captaincy for the tour to Australia in July Getty Images



James Marshall will lead New Zealand A during the four-country emerging players tournament in Queensland in July. The 14-player squad may grow after the World Cup, when another player could be added, and it includes Iain O'Brien, the fast bowler who last played for New Zealand in 2005.

Jesse Ryder and Craig Cumming were unavailable for the tour, which includes seven one-day games and two Twenty20 matches. The national selectors hope it will be used to prepare for the Twenty20 world championships in South Africa in September.

"A number of new players have been included in this year's team as a result of their domestic performances," Glenn Turner, the national men's selector, said. "We hope that this competition will test and challenge them at the next level."

Turner said the team would spend three weeks in Darwin preparing for the series in Brisbane and Maroochydore. Squads from Australia, India and South Africa will also take part in the tournament.

New Zealand A squad James Marshall (capt), Neil Broom, Grant Elliott, Gareth Hopkins (wk), Jamie How, Nathan McCullum, James McMillan, Warren McSkimming, Rob Nicol, Iain O'Brien, Mark Orchard, Michael Papps, Aaron Redmond, Bradley Scott.

'We've never been as well prepared as this'

Fleming wants three more wins

Cricinfo staff

March 31, 2007



Stephen Fleming thinks the current New Zealand squad has the best chance yet of reaching the World Cup final Getty Images



Stephen Fleming believes New Zealand have the players and the form to reach the World Cup final for the first time. Encouraged by a string of 300-plus scores and the improving form of his bowlers, Fleming said New Zealand had a good chance of reaching the semi-finals and were desperate to make it to the decider.

With four points in the bank and another four likely after their next two matches - unless they are upset by either Bangladesh or Ireland - it seems only a dramatic form slump could deny New Zealand a semi-final berth. Fleming's team ranks alongside Australia as the only undefeated countries at the tournament but he is not counting his chickens yet.

"Eight [points] might be enough, but ideally we'd like at least ten," Fleming told the Weekend Herald. "It could be a bit of a logjam. Part of the reason we put the foot down against the West Indies was the issue of run-rates, and how much they'll play in the eventual standings. Eight points with a good run-rate might be enough but there's still a lot to pan out yet."

Fleming said Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka were the biggest threats but New Zealand had the potential to outplay all of them on their day. He was confident his side's preparation for the World Cup had left them in good stead, despite their injury concerns.

"Australia's still the team to beat, certainly," he said. "They're playing some good cricket but so are other teams. It's hard to know how it's going to pan out - it's going to be tight. We've never been as well prepared as this. We've looked at pretty much every scenario and some of them twice. We've paid attention to succession-planning and have copped a bit of stick for it - but it was with a view to being as prepared as possible.

"We've had a tough week losing Lou Vincent and Ross Taylor, but we're able to fall back on experienced players and that's had a settling effect on the team. We still got through the week okay whereas in the past it might have impacted negatively on the side."

Fleming said it was important to take nothing for granted, however, and New Zealand's clashes with Bangladesh on Monday and Ireland a week later were potential stumbling-blocks if the players did not focus. "We've got a couple of tricky encounters coming up," he said.

"Bangladesh tripped us up in the warm-up match and Ireland have tested Pakistan. But if we continue the way we're playing, we'll not be far away. That's exciting. Each game we tick off brings us one closer to the semis - but the final is really what we're after."

'We held our discipline well'

Bracewell praises in-form bowlers

Cricinfo staff

March 31, 2007



John Bracewell is pleased with Michael Mason's new-ball efforts Getty Images



New Zealand's batsmen have been in terrific form since the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in February but John Bracewell, the coach, believes the efforts of their bowlers deserve just as much attention. New Zealand gave away only three wides and did not bowl any no-balls in their win against West Indies on Thursday, which put the pressure on the home team's top order.

It was a marked improvement on their previous match, when they conceded five wides and nine no-balls. The economy rates on Thursday were excellent, with only James Franklin's figures blowing out at 9.66 an over.

"I was really pleased with the way we held our discipline," Bracewell told AFP. "It was a team effort that went through to our bowlers in particular, try to string those dot balls together and put them under some sort of pressure."

Michael Mason, who was overlooked for most of the CB Series and the Chappell-Hadlee matches, has fought back to play in the last three World Cup games. His tight new-ball effort, combined with Shane Bond's high-class bowling, had Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul struggling from the very start.

"Led by Mike and Shane it set a good standard for us," Bracewell said. "Parts of the team capitalised on the fact we started so well. Our bowling performance had more discipline than most of them. It's something the guys addressed well in those six days we had leading into the game."

Bracewell said Franklin had done little wrong but was targeted by West Indies. "He was attacked, Chris Gayle decided the way to get a target on that wicket was to bully it," Bracewell said.

"I don't think James bowled particularly badly. That was their strategy. That's the beauty of this team - we can bounce out of those situations, shift to a B plan quite seamlessly." New Zealand face Bangladesh in Antigua on Monday.

Exclusive: Bowler speaks of his decision to quit Zimbabwe

Ireland: 'I cannot work with such people'

Martin Williamson

April 6, 2007



Anthony Ireland in Zimbabwe colours ... but no more AFP


Anthony Ireland, who quit international cricket earlier this week and signed a two-year deal to play for Gloucestershire, has spoken of the reasons he decided to pursue a career outside Zimbabwe.

Ireland, who at 22 is an up-and-coming talent, the kind Zimbabwe cannot afford to lose, explained that the way the contracts were forced on players shortly before the World Cup was the final straw.

"Just before we left we were summoned to a meeting with Ozias Bvute [the board's managing director]," he told Cricinfo from his Khumalo home in Bulawayo. "When we got to his office, we were told that we had to sign new contracts. All the players quickly signed, but I asked for time to talk to a few people about the terms of the contract. Bvute said I had five minutes to make up my mind, and threatened to have me replaced in the World Cup squad if I refused. I had no choice but to sign.

"That's one of the reasons why I decided to retire after the World Cup ... I cannot work with such people"

Ireland, who will be leaving for England next Wednesday, said that he signed the contract so that he could play in the World Cup, but that he had already made up his mind about signing a Kolpak deal with Gloucestershire. He added that Bvute had made it clear that the players would not be allowed to take time off to play cricket abroad during Zimbabwe's winter.

"I know of some players who wanted to go to England during the off season but cannot do so," he said. "I had organised a deal for Sean Williams with a club side in Lancashire and he told me that he cannot take it up because that will mean losing his World Cup money.

"The players are afraid of losing their World Cup money because ZC will surely hold it back for breach of contract." However, he said he believed by retiring he had not breached his contract and still expected to be paid.