Outgunned Kiwis will take fight to Ponting's men

BY PETER ROEBUCK

OPINION: After an unbeaten summer, Australia have lost three of their past seven matches. Curse those confounded Kiwis!

New Zealand have once again surpassed expectations and defied limitations.

As usual several of the locals are injured or otherwise engaged but the sight and sound of the nearby Aussies will rouse the remainder. Moreover, the hosts will provide more focused opposition than the ragtag and bobtail outfits seen in Australia this summer.

Daniel Vettori is the heartbeat of the New Zealand outfit. Statistically the second-best all-rounder in the world (behind Jacques Kallis), he leads the side, bats at six and has become the country's second leading wicket-taker.

For a while he served as coach, and jocularly observed that he might as well cook the chook as well. Now Mark Greatbatch guides the team, with Martin Crowe assisting the batsmen. Crowe could turn a game of bingo into an intense examination of the soul so the locals need to listen but also relax.

Vettori's career is instructive. He has a homespun technique, hardly turns the ball, yet his figures are exceptional. He has played 98 Tests, improves with each year, bats in the middle order, keeps batsmen guessing with changes of pace and generally holds the team together.

Under his leadership, the Kiwis play intelligently and punch above their weight. It's a considerable achievement because the challenges are enormous. Twenty-four hours before the first ball the screens at the Basin Reserve were being painted, the loudspeakers were not yet working and almost everything was locked. Wellington is the capital of the nation yet spectators sit on raw benches.

And it was cold yesterday, so cold that Javagal Srinath, a match referee from Bangalore, cursed himself for not bringing a jacket or putting on any socks. Shivering, he explained that the Decision Review System is to be shown to spectators for the first time and that players had been given instructions on their behaviour during and afterwards.

On the field, too, the Kiwis face formidable obstacles. Ordinarily New Zealand can find only a handful of world-class players so competition for places is thin. Ross Taylor, Vettori and Brendon McCullum fit the bill. At times, though, New Zealand cricket is its own worst enemy, with endless injuries and personality clashes, and early retirements weakening the position.

Vettori has survived all these setbacks and now strives to instil in his team the determination and canniness that have set him apart. Meanwhile his counterpart is trying to retain intensity for a few more days.

Ricky Ponting has faced different challenges. For a considerable time he has been preparing for the forthcoming Ashes series. Clearly he believes that Marcus North has a part to play in that campaign.

Yesterday Ponting said that he had been spending a lot of time with North. He pointed out that the beleaguered left-hander has looked comfortable in Test cricket from his first match. Perhaps, though, he is simply that sort of fellow. Apparently North has been hitting them well in the nets and so might score runs in Wellington but his inconsistency has been his problem.

Ryan Harris's inclusion is a gamble because it is founded on his ability to swing the white ball. Ponting is right to seek bowlers capable of pitching the ball up at high pace and with late movement, a combination Harris produced in the 50-over matches. Nothing in the newcomer's career indicates that he is as effective with red balls. However, he is strong and fit enough to bowl into Wellington's perennial wind and that adds to his appeal.

Ponting has also been spending time with his vice-captain. Michael Clarke seems delighted to be back in the fold. Sporting teams can become second families.

Australia will start as firm favourites on a firm pitch. Clarke and North will be closely watched but hopefully the contest is compelling enough to put recent events in their place.

- © Fairfax NZ News