KEY POINTS:
John Bracewell, New Zealand cricket coach
You seem quite an intense person. How do you relax?
C McCarroll, Tauranga
On tour, you don't really relax. Given the opportunity I meditate and spend time in the gym. I also like to read but again don't get much time on
tour; that has to wait until I'm at home.
Given the lack of viable replacements for New Zealand's out-of-form batsmen, is it fair to say the academy at Lincoln has been an expensive failure?
D Moles, London
The Academy has been a great success over the years. I think that Stephen Fleming is the only player not to have gone through it. One of the great positives about the Academy is that when players come into the Blackcaps the change is seamless. They already have an understanding of the way we work and operate.
Why is it that during the past few years, more of our batsmen are moving their feet less and less and getting out for that very reason. Is this part of your coaching philosophy? If not, why is it happening?
Dave Hunt, Pukekohe
Efficient footwork is something players are continually working on. In this regard little has changed over time. While there are aspects to batting that have changed, the need to have efficient footwork has not and we train accordingly.
Chris Harris has performed at three World Cricket Cups, when the stars failed (Cairns et al). Why would you leave him behind? Surely it is time to learn from the lessons of history?
Defyd Williams, Hamilton
The final squad for the World Cup has not been selected yet. Chris is in the 30-man wider squad and is continuing to play well in the domestic programme. To comment any further on Chris' possible involvement in the World Cup at this stage would be unfair to the player.
When you argue with your captain, Stephen Fleming, how are the disagreements resolved?
S White, Waitakere
We are yet to have one.
With the benefit of hindsight, has your player rotation policy paid off?
B Ballan, Remuera
Rotation is a term that has been used by the media. Over the last two years we have attempted to put in place planning and contingencies to ensure our best team for the World Cup. This means keeping a number of our injury-prone players on a periodised programme building to the Cup. This appears to look like rotation but we prefer to look at it as building depth. I am delighted that out of it we have seen the likes of Jeetan Patel, Kyle Mills, Ross Taylor and Mark Gillespie blossom on the world stage.
