Mark Richardson: Forget bash, go for consistency

The Black Caps lost the final Twenty20 game. Photo / NZ Herald

As the Black Caps capitulated in the third Twenty20 international against Pakistan the other night, I initially thought this sort of thing happens in T20.

It's a game where you push the boundaries and don't have the luxury of conservatism after wickets fall. It would be wrong to judge our team too harshly on this performance. After all, they won the series, didn't they?

But then I began to think a little more harshly.

This team has to try to eliminate this sort of hiding.

It happens too regularly to them in all forms of the game.

You shouldn't set your sights on losing but, in this case, a hard-fought loss would have still earned the Black Caps more respect. Instead, fans are left scratching their heads, frustrated at how inconsistent our boys can be. Just when you think they are improving, bang, another embarrassing loss.

When you listen to the players speak about Twenty20, it's clear they take it seriously and have begun to work it out. They have plans and methods in which they believe, and play enough of the game these days that a more consistent level of performance, as a group, is not an unreasonable request.

The crash-and-bash part of the series is over and brave but calculated risk-taking must now turn to responsible, intelligent decision-making.

In our conditions, New Zealand should compete well in the tests against a Pakistan side without Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

I'm hoping for a little grass and a bit of zip in our tracks. Winning tests in bowler-friendly conditions doesn't improve our game but, right now, I feel that would be our best chance of winning and earning some much-needed public support. Of course, the batsmen will need to play with a bit of fight if things become a seam-bowling duel.

There is one last T20 fixture for the season: today's HRV Cup final.

While I congratulate the Auckland Aces for qualifying top and winning the right to host the final, I can't help feeling New Zealand Cricket have missed a trick here.

At this time of the year, Mt Maunganui's Blake Park would prove the ideal location. Its capacity is twice that of Auckland's Colin Maiden Park and they would probably fill it, too.

Going to the HRV Cup final could become a great holiday tradition. I'd like to see every final played at this time of year in a traditional holiday location.

If South Island teams are involved, it could be in Nelson, Queenstown or Alexandra. People from all around New Zealand are at these places at this time of the year and are looking for entertainment.

Give the top qualifier the gate from the final ... not the final.