Mark Richardson: Improvement to bowling looks unlikely

Chris Martin. Photo / Getty Images

I am afraid that's all we have right now and we just have to live it.

Our test match bowling attack lacks penetration and nothing looks like changing in the near future.

The first session of the match was very disappointing and, in conditions that offered something for the seamers, they took very little.

However, it is not all bad. The second session was a fine display - 70 runs from 28 overs and two wickets.

It could have been more wickets had two chances been taken but the point is, four opportunities were created the only way our team can create them right now against quality opposition - through frustration built up by patient and accurate bowling as a total group.

It is the only way this bowling team can operate. Everyone must play their part because if someone fails to play their part the haemorrhaging will, as witnessed in the final session of the first day, not be stopped.

If things get to the point where the Black Caps desperately need a couple of quick wickets where can Daniel Vettori look?

Chris Martin, while honest as ever, has definitely lost some sting; Tim Southee has not developed as fast as needed; Daryl Tuffey and Brent Arnel bowled really well but are hardly strike bowlers; and, in circumstances like the first day's play, Vettori uses himself more in a defensive role.

It's not going to change either because where is the strike power? I can answer that. It is currently earning a million dollars bowling a couple of overs a day in India and/or happily married in the south-west of England.

Kyle Mills could possibly be in the attack but with all due respect to Mills, he is a wonderful ODI performer but not quite a strike bowler in tests. Andy Mackay maybe, but he is yet to play a test, has a history of injury and ominously is currently injured.

I can't think of anyone with any pace banging on the door. While we consistently point the finger at the failings of our batting side, I see those concerns as short term.

There is hope looking forward in the batting stocks and some of the incumbents are far from their potential best. However, in the bowling I have long term concern.

I do however like what I am seeing of late at first class level. Scores are improving on average at domestic level - and that is because pitches are flatter.

If New Zealand cricket can keep this trend then, just maybe out of necessity, the bowling will morph into something more likely to succeed at the next level.

It's just a theory and I could be proved wrong. Maybe fast bowlers and leg spinners are more a function of your total playing sample as opposed to what you play on.

You only get one good one per 10,000 or so cricketers. After all, it basically took 10 years before someone came along to rival Sir Richard Hadlee.