Cricket: Batsmen improve despite handicap

LONDON - A lack of pressure on the test batsmen by the next generation of players was not helping New Zealand cricket, chairman of national selectors Ross Dykes said yesterday.

He felt that subconsciously the Black Caps batsmen were aware there was no one seriously pushing them for their positions.

Despite this handicap, most New Zealand batsmen on tour had taken a further step up, improving on their form since the home series against India and South Africa, he said.

"Our resources in New Zealand are not deep. If you go below the top 14 players we tend to struggle.

"One of the tasks the selection panel has got is trying to build up that depth. It's fair to say we have a thin layer of talent. But it's not something that happens overnight," Dykes said.

The full tour of England would be helpful in developing players such as Martin Croy and Brooke Walker, with other young players getting their chance when England A tour next summer.

Dykes said it would be a year or two before the next group of players lifted their level to challenge the current test batsmen.

Dykes said the depth of talent was increasing.

"Gary Stead came in and played a test against South Africa at short notice and acquitted himself very well.

"We are slowly building up that depth. We are seeking to give these players more opportunity in a New Zealand A type of side and there will be emphasis on that next summer."

England A are touring New Zealand and will play two five-day games and one-day games against New Zealand A.

"This could well be a turning point in New Zealand where these young fellows get the chance against good opposition to put their hand up and show they are getting close.

"We need that. Subconsciously some of our top players perhaps tend not to be pushed hard enough."

There were aspects of New Zealand's batting which were disappointing in the first test but Matthew Horne, Nathan Astle, Roger Twose, Dion Nash and Daniel Vettori entered the second test at Lord's with good form under their belts.

Meanwhile, Wellington fast bowler Carl Bulfin said yesterday he was embarrassed by the storm he created by walking out on English county Nottinghamshire.

New Zealand Cricket arranged for Bulfin to play 10 games of 2nd XI cricket for the famous English county after he was dropped from the Black Caps following the World Cup. However, Bulfin quit after one game.

Yesterday Bulfin admitted he hadn't handled the matter well but he also stressed that an ankle injury was the principal reason behind his decision to leave early.

At the time he was reported as saying he left becauseof an unprofessional setup. "Obviously I was pretty naive in this experience. This is all new to me," Bulfin said from Christchurch, after meeting with NZ Cricket chief executive, Christopher Doig..

"I'm embarrassed by the problems I have caused to everyone and now I just want to get on with things." - NZPA