Cricket: Bouncers may not be best option for test

By RICHARD BOOCK

Contrary to popular belief, the New Zealand cricketers have been urged to discard the bouncer theory and pitch the ball up during next week's opening test against Bangladesh.

The touring Bangladeshis added another dismal chapter to their brief international existence yesterday when they ended the third day of their tour match against Auckland teetering on the edge of a crushing loss - in what was supposed to be their dress-rehearsal for the test in Hamilton.

After finally dismissing Auckland for 495, a total which included a promising 95 from Nick Horsley, Bangladesh were again found wanting in their second turn at bat, following up their first-innings score of 120 with a marginally less hapless 165 for nine.

Only a timely interruption from the weather can possibly save test cricket's most recent participants, who will start the final day this morning with one wicket in hand and a deficit of 210 runs.

Apart from a patient knock of 71 not out from the 32-year-old Aminul Islam and some early moments of resistance from Al Sahariar, the tourists' batting line-up was again shown to be fragile in the extreme, particularly after their best batsman, Habibul Bashar, perished for an eighth-ball duck.

In the face of another strong performance from opening bowler Chris Drum, who spearheaded Auckland's push for victory with five for 33, the Bangladeshis wilted at critical times. At one stage they lost three wickets for two runs.

Given their traditional dislike for the bouncing ball, it is widely expected that the Bangladesh batsmen will be bombarded by the short stuff when the test begins in Hamilton, something Auckland coach Tony Sail believes may be unnecessary.

"If things are a little bit sporting in terms of the pitch, it's important that the bowlers pitch it up to maximise the opportunity," Sail said. "With the exception of Kyle Mills, who bowled beautifully, I actually think our guys bowled too short in the first innings when conditions were in our favour.

"In Hamilton last season, Northern Districts put us in on a green seamer and then bowled too short, and I think New Zealand have got to be careful that they don't go out there thinking solely about the short ball."

Sail believed Stephen Fleming's side would be savvy enough to realise the value of the swinging and seaming ball, and said the manner in which the Bangladesh batsmen played demanded a fuller-pitched approach.

"They'll struggle because they don't get forward at all," he said. "They tend to sit on the back foot, partly because they're worried about the short ball and partly because of the conditions they're used to playing in.

"Therefore the fuller you bowl at them the better your chances of getting them out."

As for their chances at Hamilton, he said if absolutely everything went in their favour and they were able to execute a reasonably patient game plan, they had the ability to apply some pressure on their hosts.

However, he thought it far more likely that New Zealand would outclass the newcomers in all facets of the game.

"They're well short of the standard that New Zealand will be shooting for," he said. "These guys are shot-makers and if the ball does a bit they'll struggle, so they could be in for a difficult time in Hamilton.

"I certainly don't think they're short on talent, they're got some exceptionally skilled players.

"They're just lacking a critical amount of experience and confidence. But that will change in time.

"The bottom line is that they have a population of 130 million and cricket's their main sport, so they'll settle into their stride fairly quickly."