The Wairarapa senior men's representative cricket team will be more "cricket smart" in the upcoming 2006-07 season.
That's the promise from selector Dick Kendall, pictured left, who is keen to enhance the attitude of the players both on and of the field.
Kendall returned to the selecting role last season after a
break of several years and after carefully scrutinising the performance of the Wairarapa team then believes that an improved culture will lead to improved results.
"Considering all the circumstances we did well last season but at the same time we could have done better," he said.
Kendall is an advocate of players taking responsibility for their own actions and as such he will be stressing the importance of all team members being aware of what was required to make a successful side.
For instance there had been occasions last season when some players were isolated from on field decisions.
"It wasn't a deliberate ploy by the leadership but it happened and it's not good for team culture,' he said. "We need to ensure that the communication process within the team is spot on , that everybody knows what our aspirations are and how we are going to achieve them."
Kendall believes even the most junior team members should be encouraged to have their say, and to expect answers given to their questions
"Age or experience doesn't need to come into it, everybody in the side has to be treated as an equal," he said.
Kendall said representative players also had to be mindful they were not only representing Wairarapa cricket, they were flag bearers for the community at large.
So therefore it was crucial too that they were seen as a successful unit off the field as well as on it.
"Being selected to represent your province should be seen as a big deal ?.it's an honour which players should never treat lightly," he said.
