Cricket: Bracewell shapes up for the challenge

Chris Cairns

To gamble or not to gamble is the dilemma facing New Zealand in the lead-up to Saturday's opening one-dayer against the World XI.

The world's most successful one-day side in the past year, New Zealand will try to find a fine balance between experimentation and continuity in the three-match series, the forerunner for the much-anticipated showdown against Australia.

Influential all-rounder Chris Cairns said yesterday that as much as the series against the World XI represented a chance for New Zealand to mine for fresh resources, there was also a need to polish the more elementary aspects of their game, and to build on the previous success.

"This is a good chance to find out something new about ourselves and I don't think any side coached by John Bracewell would pass that up," he said after practice at Jade Stadium.

"But by the same token, we need to keep in mind that we are a good team, that we've got an obligation to ourselves and the public to continue our strong work, and to not experiment gratuitously."

The three World XI matches will not carry official ODI status, a move that's raised the possibility of New Zealand using them as a testing ground for new ideas, different strategies and tactical development.

Bracewell has already spoken of the need for his team to raise the bar if they are to beat Australia in a series or win the World Cup, and he backed up his sentiments last week when he dropped a bombshell in selecting Jeff Wilson.

The experimental theme received more mileage yesterday when it was revealed that NZC would allow both teams to practice on the match pitch, in an attempt to neutralise the surfaces before the start of play.

"I think Braces has talked a little about the possibility of trying a few things to find something out," Cairns said. "There's been talk about batting guys out of position and trying different options with the bowling at the death, and you know what Johnny's like, he likes pushing us along until we find ourselves in uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations.

"He likes doing that. He's always challenging us."

Cairns said he understood the approach, because if New Zealand were to develop to their potential and become the best team in the world, it was vital that the players found ways to improve themselves individually and collectively.

He said that while New Zealand's first and foremost priority was winning all three games, there was also a longer-term picture that involved improving the side to the extent that they could beat Australia and win the World Cup.

On the other hand, he said when it came down to tin-tacks on the field, novel tactics and surprise strategies usually played second-fiddle to good, sound cricket.

"I always come back to the basics. You have to take all your catches, run well between the wickets, score well off the bad balls, bowl well at the start as well as at the death; there's no secret formula.

"So yes, there's a need to experiment and find things out, but there's also a need to keep things simple."

Cairns also had a word of encouragement for Wilson, who will play his first international cricket match in 12 years if selected in the team on Saturday.

"He's a guy who's used to the big occasion, and there's a school of thought that once he finds himself in the big-time again, a switch might be flicked - and he'll lift his game to suit.

"He's the sort of person who might do that. He'll be spurred on by the moment."

One-day rankings

1 Australia
2 New Zealand
3 Sri Lanka