Cricket: Black Caps trying to master English ball

LEICESTER - The New Zealand team are still trying to master the vagaries of the Duke cricket ball and the mystery of reverse swing as they seek a much-needed edge for the second test against England starting on Thursday night.

Their match against Leicestershire degenerated into a slogfest late in the second innings yesterday as Chris Cairns and Daniel Vettori whacked quick half-centuries against part-time spinners as the tourists declared at 357 for five. The county side were 68 for two at stumps chasing a mammoth 561 on the final day, which ended early today.

"Put in perspective the opposition's pretty average to say the least," Cairns said. "I suppose it's a glorified open wicket. We've still got some work to do."

The batting appears sound, with captain Stephen Fleming completing a match double of 56 and 95 at Leicester and Craig McMillan in the runs at last with 43 and 68.

But McMillan attracted concern when he suffered a nasty blow on his already broken left little finger and retired hurt, leaving him doubtful for the Headingley test.

A decision will be made over his availability today, although he has played through the pain of the original break so far on this tour.

The bowling, though, remains the big head-scratcher as a question marks hangs over the ability of the New Zealand pacemen to take 20 wickets.

Spinner Vettori has looked the most dangerous New Zealand bowler on dryer-than-expected pitches, taking four for 60 in the first innings in Leicester after bowling well but without luck in the first test, won by England at Lord's.

Paceman Chris Martin remains the big hope for New Zealand. He is easily their fastest bowler, but is still struggling for the in-swing and accuracy which saw him snare 18 wickets against South Africa last summer.

Cairns, who took four for 48 in the first innings and was bowling accurately without threatening to blast the speed radar against Leicestershire, admitted Martin was a key figure.

"We were a couple of miles per hour down on where we should have been at Lord's and that allows the batsmen time to adjust. As much as it's about line and length, it's also about bowling a heavy, hard ball."

The headache for the pacemen appeared to be the Duke ball, which is markedly different to the Kookaburra brand used at home. It appeared difficult to swing unless the atmospheric conditions were thick and overcast, and it deteriorated quicker on the dryer surfaces.

The priority of New Zealand coach John Bracewell and assistant Vaughan Johnson has been working with the bowlers on their reverse swing.

The New Zealanders have struggled to master the art in the past two years.

* West Indies opener Chris Gayle hit an unbeaten 110 yesterday as his team remained locked in a battle with Bangladesh on the third day of the first test at Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia.

The West Indies reached stumps on 262 for five in reply to Bangladesh's record first innings total of 416. Gayle, 24, survived three dropped chances, one of six floored by the tourists, on the way to his fifth test century in his 43rd match after facing 246 balls.

- AGENCIES