Cricket: Allott's trio puts him top of the world class

By Richard Boock

EDINBURGH - Geoff Allott again demonstrated his value to New Zealand's World Cup cricket campaign after ending the group phase as the tournament's highest wicket-taker

Allott's three wickets against Scotland yesterday lifted his tally to 15 so far, two ahead of South Africa's Lance Klusener, and four ahead of some of the most respected bowlers in world cricket - Alan Donald, Courtney Walsh and Darren Gough.

The Canterbury bowler was again a key player in New Zealand's six-wicket win at the Grange Ground yesterday, when he created often terminal problems for the Scottish batsmen with his extra yard of pace and a highly-successful inswinger.

The 27-year-old took three wickets in the Kiwis' opening match against Bangladesh, four against Australia, one against the West Indies and four more against Pakistan, although in that match he conceded 64 runs.

"I was disappointed to give up so many runs against Pakistan - even though I took some wickets - because I probably didn't adjust quickly enough to the opposition's batting tactics," he said yesterday.

"Pakistan came out and just went for it from the first ball, which we're not overly used to dealing with, and in hindsight I was a bit slow in reacting.

"But I was pleased with the way things went in this game [against Scotland]. I found some rhythm and bowled a much tighter line, and was helped by a wee bit of movement in the air and off the wicket. It was good to be back in the groove."

Allott has found great support at the other end from Dion Nash, the other New Zealand bowler demanding attention over here, even though he does not feature on the tournament's list of top wicket-takers.

Nash has improved with each outing, and if he does not rank highly in terms of dismissals at this World Cup, it is only because he is bowling so well that most batsmen have not been good enough to get a bat near his stock leg-cutter, let alone edge one.