Ingram sticks to his guns

Under-fire New Zealand top-order batsman Peter Ingram is adamant he is ready to take on the Australian bowling attack when the first cricket test starts in Wellington on Friday.

Ingram, 31, was the subject of widespread criticism over his technique and lack of footwork following the opening three one-day internationals against Australia after posting scores of 40, 14 and five.

He was subsequently dropped for the remaining two matches of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy after which he returned to first class cricket where he helped Central Districts cruise to a comfortable seven wicket Plunket Shield win over Wellington, with Ingram scoring 59 in the second innings.

Taranaki's Ingram, who batted at three in his only test appearance against Bangladesh last month, was recalled to the New Zealand side earlier this week, despite calls for the inclusion of promising Northern Districts youngster Kane Williamson to make his debut.

Travelling to New Zealand's first practice at the Basin Reserve yesterday morning, Ingram was comfortable about the impending test match and the criticism he had received.

"I've been feeling pretty good to be honest," he said.

"I've been getting out lately making some bad decisions but that's cricket and you know my attitude, I'm not going to worry too much, just get out and play the way I play. I've just got to keep doing my thing."

Ingram said he was more than accepting of being dropped from the one-day side, which he described as the simple consequence of not scoring enough runs. "I had my chance and they had to get someone else in there. What can I say, you just have to perform otherwise you get the axe in international cricket."

The step up of facing Australia's bowling attack from that of the lowly rated Bangladesh side was "pretty tough", although he was far from overawed. The speed and the accuracy is obviously a bit higher, but as I showed in Napier (when he scored 40), if you make good decisions, then I'm good enough.

"A couple of times I didn't have a clear head and didn't go through my routines properly and I got out. I still do that at domestic level, it's just that everything has to be perfect against these guys."

He was confident of having a "clear head" in Wellington and was equally assured he could score runs against an attack that has easily seen off Pakistan and West Indies this summer.

The feeling in the Black Caps was also good, he said, saying the players' confidence had never waned despite some comfortable mid-series wins by Australia.

Black Caps coach Mark Greatbatch has intimated this week Ingram will hold his spot at No 3, despite the recall of veteran CD batsman Mathew Sinclair.

Meanwhile, Greatbatch yesterday dismissed speculation that the New Zealand camp had requested the Basin Reserve be turned into a dustbowl to favour its two spinners.

Instead, Greatbatch said no decision had been made as to whether New Zealand would go with Northern Districts paceman Brent Arnel or opt for Jeetan Patel to partner captain Daniel Vettori in a twin spin attack.

What was certain was the New Zealand bowling attack had decided on its tactical approach to face Australia, which is believed to be a plan to bore their batsman into submission.

- © Fairfax NZ News