Cricket: NZ bowlers must swing into action

Damien Wright. Photo / Getty Images

When Damien Wright talks to the New Zealand seamers about the keys to bowling successfully at the Gabba they should listen carefully.

The New Zealand bowling coach spent 14 seasons playing first-class cricket with Tasmania and Victoria as a respectable fast-medium bowler.

Wright was good enough to play eight times for Australia A.

He marked out his runup at the first test venue many times, and had good days and others when, as he put it, he "went the journey".

"It's one of those places you can get a little carried away with pace and bounce," he said yesterday.

"The Gabba always has conditions for the ball to swing. If you can present the ball in good areas and make them play you are going to get rewards."

The 36-year-old Sydney-born Wright took 406 first-class wickets in 123 games at a competitive 28.62.

Should New Zealand field first when the test begins tomorrow, Wright will have the seamers on song for the specific requirements at a ground Australian teams consider their favourite home venue. After all, they haven't been beaten in a test in Brisbane since 1988.

"You can't bowl too short, but if you want to bowl a bouncer you can bowl a really good one," Wright said. "Don't get carried away with seeing a bit of grass and bounce.

"I'll be telling the guys you have to hit the wicket hard but in an area about 6m from the popping crease. At the Gabba if the batsman doesn't move his feet the nicks will always carry [to the slips], so it's really crucial to bowl in that zone."

With Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell mischievously promising plenty of life and movement for the quick bowlers, the first three hours at least should be compelling viewing.

Wright is relishing his role - he is on a two-year deal, which began in September - and particularly the fact that apart from 36-year-old Chris Martin, whose leadership contribution he rates, he is working with a young group of men.

Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell and Trent Boult are all 22 or younger.

Wright was delighted with what he saw of the New Zealand quartet against Australia A last week, reckoning they had fulfilled the task he set them of outbowling their counterparts.

Three of those young Australian bowlers, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc and Ben Cutting, are in the test 12 for tomorrow but Wright reckons the early advantage lies with New Zealand.

"I think we have an attack that's very disciplined and the best thing about them is they all swing the ball.

"Against this Australian team in particular it's about guys who can bowl at reasonable pace, but if you can move the ball you're in the game against them.

"Get the ball in the right area and they are vulnerable."

Damien Wright had one final tip. "You've got to look Australia in the eye and take them on."