Matthew Hart

A player who seemed on the verge of a distinctly promising international career when achieving the best bowling by a New Zealander in One-Day Internationals, against the West Indies in India when he took 5 for 22 in 1994/95, en route to South Africa, left-arm spinner Matt Hart has fallen into a selection vacuum. On that South African tour he helped bowl New Zealand to a significant first Test victory and from that time he struggled to regain favour with a variety of selection panels. The emergence in the meantime of Daniel Vettori also limited his opportunities. He has partly refashioned his career as a batsman and still comes under consideration when touring sides are selected. His last tour was to the West Indies in 2002.
Lynn McConnell (May 2003)