Cricket: Hot form plays havoc on rest

Four hundred and fifty balls over three matches is a long time to sit in a pavilion, waiting to bat.

That is what the likes of recognised batsmen Kane Williamson, James Franklin, Nathan McCullum and Jacob Oram have done in the two Twenty20 and one-day match on the New Zealand tour of Zimbabwe. Adding to that, Ross Taylor has faced five balls and Jesse Ryder 23 so far. The second 50-over match was played overnight.

Not that anyone is complaining. Convincing victories are demanded against a weak outfit who have only recently returned to the international fold. However, it raises the question whether coach John Wright tweaks the batting order in the remaining limited overs matches before the test to ensure no one suffers cricket's version of cabin fever.

The symptoms only become obvious when players bat: foot movement is restricted; minds clutter with the desire to impress after limited opportunities; wickets can tend to tumble.

The reality is Rob Nicol (108) is just the seventh international player to make a one-day century on debut), Martin Guptill (181 runs at a strike rate of 101) and Brendon McCullum (184 runs at a strike rate of 156) have been exemplary - scything through the Zimbabwe attack.

Wright is faced with offering others the chance for a bat. New Zealand face Australia in December then South Africa.

"A few of the guys have sat around a long time with their pads on. We've had good batting conditions; the top order has taken its chances and Zimbabwe feel they have under-performed. We might have to re-organise the order so others get a hit although it's too early to judge the tour - I still want to notch up decent wins."

Wright offered praise for Nicol: "He also had a club game last Sunday in the local competition [Nicol missed selection for the first T20 match] and scored a hundred there, too."

Nicol was promoted to open after Ryder bruised his wrist fielding. That saw McCullum move to first drop. Former Black Caps all-rounder Chris Harris has also been observing the New Zealanders. Harris is now a coach in Harare. His duties include mentoring the under-19s, helping the national side with its fielding and putting in place coaching courses.

"They're putting pressure on Zimbabwe and that is what the team needs to get used to. It's a trying but exciting time getting Zimbabwe back into cricket. It's about them learning to cope with that pressure.

"It's tough for their bowling because the New Zealand batting is so formidable and hasn't allowed Zimbabwe any advantage. Perhaps with the exception of Kyle Jarvis, who can bowl in the high 130s, they've got steady medium-pacers who haven't been hitting their key areas [just short of length, outside off stump].

"The only possible New Zealand weakness has been a relatively inexperienced bowling line-up [including Doug Bracewell, Graeme Aldridge, Andy McKay, Luke Woodcock and Nicol]. However, Bracewell impressed bowling in the second Twenty20 match. He was blasted for six over his head but came back to clean up the tail. He looks a good find."