Cricket: Doig determined to avoid future injury crises

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand Cricket bosses now accept that there is no quick fix for the injury-hit team in South Africa, but will do all they can to ensure there will be no repeat.

Chief executive Chris Doig has received an 82-page report from the association's exercise physiologist and physiotherapists that underlines the correlation between workload and injury.

"We are imperfect internationally in issues surrounding injuries to bowlers," Doig said. "Our injury level is a real concern. In the past 12 months, 30 players have appeared for New Zealand. Nine of those changes were forced by injuries.

"We have to look at how we coach our bowlers. Maybe we should be preparing over three levels, starting at under-15.

"I have an issue with the player base in New Zealand. This becomes especially apparent when you lose an entire bowling attack and acknowledge there is a significant step from first-class to international cricket.

"Daniel Vettori and Mark Richardson are obvious recent exceptions.

"If we had not had an A team playing this year, we simply would not have had the players to call on as replacements."

Given the rise of cricket in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and now Bangladesh, Doig is adamant that regular cricket on the subcontinent is vital.

"We already have an exchange arrangement in place with India which will see a New Zealand A team go there one year and India A come here the next."

He also outlined plans for a 10-year international programme which will bring equity to cricket's calendar.

"This is the final year of the old-style programme where the minnows - including New Zealand, who have not been seen as a particularly attractive opponent - have been left to fight over the scraps," Doig said. "Now we know where we stand and can plan accordingly."

In the first year of the new programme - starting in December next year - New Zealand will host Bangladesh on their first overseas tour since being accepted as a full International Cricket Council member.

They will play the traditional Boxing Day test and one other, plus three one-day internationals. England will play three tests and either five or six ODIs in New Zealand from mid-February in 2002.

The Black Caps face a busy winter next year with tours to Sri Lanka (June-July), Pakistan (September-October) and Australia (from November), but have the following winter off.

The ICC will fund all international cricket as part of the $US550 million guaranteed by a deal with World Sports Group.

A handout would be handy for New Zealand Cricket, who have budgeted for a $1.8 million loss this summer.