Cricket: Sinclair aims for early form

When you score 214 in your cricket test debut, there is realistically only one place to go.

New Zealand top-order batsman Mathew Sinclair took the inevitable path after his memorable innings against the West Indies last season, but it was the rate and method of decline that concerned many judges.

Only 61 runs in his next six test innings saw his average plummet from 214 to 45.32.

On four of those occasions he was trapped leg before wicket against the Australians.

Sinclair looked a shattered young man by the end of last summer.

"I went through a sore patch and some people said my results were a bit premature, but I know what I have to do to play against the best," Sinclair said.

"There were high points and low points last season, I'm the first to admit that, but I learned so much."

Sinclair, aged 24, is determined to make amends on the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe.

He flies out this morning to join his Black Cap team-mates in Singapore.

As the incumbent No 3, Sinclair has the inside running for the first test, starting at Bulawayo on September 12. But runs in the three-day warm-up matches at Mutare and Kwekwe will be vital for confidence.

The inclusion of new cap Mark Richardson and last season's opening pair of Craig Spearman and Matthew Horne has given the selectors options.

Certainly, Spearman is equally capable at No 3.

"It is interesting they are taking over three openers, but any of them could bat in the top order," Sinclair said.

"My choice is No 3 but I'm not taking anything for granted. Performance at the end of the day will decide who bats where."

Zimbabwe is a trip into the unknown for Sinclair.

But he has done his homework from previous tour results which, encouragingly for him, indicate easy-paced pitches.

Sinclair has worked diligently on his game over the winter, with particular emphasis on his feet movement.

Any other changes were only subtle ones, he said. He departs happy with the way he has been striking the ball.

"You can play against the bowling machine for as long as you like, but nothing beats getting out there in the middle," he said.

"Some of the guys will have had the advantage of playing outdoors [in the one-day tri-series in Singapore] but for me it is going to be a mental thing.

"I'm a confident guy and I can't wait to get over there and get stuck in again."

Sinclair was disappointed to be overlooked for the one-day team, but he knows sheer weight of runs in Zimbabwe is the best way of forcing his way back into the frame.

The New Zealand one-day team will be reselected for three one-dayers against Zimbabwe and the mini World Cup in Kenya from October 3 to 16.

Sinclair was also the only batsman to top 1000 first-class runs last season.

He scored 1002, with Richardson having the next highest aggregate on 638.

- NZPA