Cricket: New coach will make it all Wright

Neil Wagner may form part of an exciting bowling squad. File photo / Getty Images

Nothing telegraphs the arrival of summer like the sight of a New Zealand pace bowler hobbling off a cricket field clutching various parts of his anatomy.

It has become part of the seasonal barometer for Kiwi fans, generally just before a crucial series or tournament where the player was expected to have a key impact. In recent years Shane Bond, Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram have been victims.

New bowling coach Damien Wright's job is to prevent that happening, especially with the emergence of Chris Martin, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell and Tim Southee as a promising test pace quartet. So far, so good, but the fab four need to sustain their fitness and accuracy into the coming three-test series against South Africa.

Maintaining decent bowling workloads without over-exertion is a hard balance to find. Martin and Boult will likely play the next couple of rounds of Plunket Shield before the first test against the Proteas starts on March 7 in Dunedin. Bracewell and Southee will be required for international limited overs matches in the meantime.

It is hard to escape the 36-year-old Wright's love for the game since his appointment in July, straight after retirement. As a fast bowler he was part of three Sheffield Shield winning sides, played with five UK counties and even had a stint with Wellington in last season's HRV Cup.

Having taken 406 first-class wickets in 123 matches, Wright knows about the toil required to thrust repeatedly through the popping crease, placing concentrated loads on limbs. He's had the back stress fractures to prove it; something he's trying to help his new charges avoid.

"My emphasis is on developing a squad of bowlers as an insurance policy, and that's what we've got at the moment. There are so many up-and-comers. You have the test bowlers along with Kyle Mills, Michael Bates and Andrew Ellis who will have significant roles [in the shorter forms] against Zimbabwe.

In addition, Brent Arnel bowled well in the practice match in Gisborne, as did Neil Wagner. I love the way Neil shows his aggression. His energy lifted the group and he will give us plenty to think about [when he becomes eligible to play for New Zealand in April]. You can't write off Andy McKay as yet and Adam Milne and Bevan Small have huge futures.

"Ultimately we want the best and most consistent attack in the world with high strike rates, low economy rates and filled with players you can rely on to regularly pitch the ball up 5m from the stumps in the right channels.

"It sounds like a big wish but enthusiasm goes a long way, and you have to keep repeating those messages. I'm also working closely with strength and conditioning trainer Chris Donaldson and physio Paul Close to keep our bowlers in decent physical nick."

Wright says a four-pronged pace attack is dependent on the presence of spinner Daniel Vettori batting at six, but they're looking at succession planning.

"I like the current balance so one aim is to bring Sam Wells more into an all-rounder role where he might add 12-15 overs an innings."

The Australian-born Wright offers extra kudos to Doug Bracewell as someone he wants to monitor closely. He recognises Bracewell's nine for 60 to help win the test against Australia at Hobart re-captured the public's cricketing imagination.

"To be part of it was fantastic; I could sense its significance, regardless of nationality. Quite frankly, Bracewell was a superstar in that game. He's a terrific bloke to work with because he keeps things simple.

"Yes, he had a no-ball problem at the 'Gabba after he'd bowled [Michael] Clarke but he still went about his business."