Cricket: We're bottom of the ton-up list

By RICHARD BOOCK

JOHANNESBURG - New Zealand's never-ending struggle to produce a world-class, top-order batting line-up is reflected in the side's position at the bottom of the scrap-heap in terms of centuries scored.

The current side are battling to avert a series whitewash in the third test against South Africa after their batsmen failed to carry the responsibility of scoring runs at Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth, and in doing so conceded complete dominance to the hosts.

Although captain Stephen Fleming went desperately close in the second innings at Bloemfontein, with his 99, Mathew Sinclair is the sole batsman to have made it to three figures in the tests against South Africa

Only Sinclair, Matt Horne and allrounder Chris Cairns have reached the milestone in the past three test series.

In a combined total of 153 tests played before yesterday's match began, New Zealand's current top six batsmen had managed only 13 centuries between them.

Nathan Astle leads the list with five, followed by Craig McMillan (three), Fleming (two), Sinclair (two) and Craig Spearman (one).

Working on figures compiled before the start of the three series being played around the world at the moment, New Zealand even trail teams such as Zimbabwe and Bangladesh on the ratio of centuries per test, with Bangladesh actually heading the list after producing a century in their inaugural test outing.

Because of their isolation, South Africa have played 36 fewer tests than New Zealand but since readmission have still managed to score five more centuries.

Six other teams - the West Indies, Australia, Pakistan, India, England and Sri Lanka - have far superior records in terms of centuries scored.