Allott eager for action (7 January 1999)

7 January 1999

Allott eager for action

The Christchurch Press

While most of the Black Caps' bowling attack is feeling jaded, Canterbury's Geoff Allott is daisy fresh for the five game one-day series against India, starting in Taupo on Saturday.

The left-arm pace bowler was included in the New Zealand 12 named for the first two games yesterday and cannot wait to get back to the bowling crease after three weeks without a competitive match.

While Daniel Vettori (hand), Dion Nash (back spasm), and Simon Doull (heat-stroke), were feeling the effects of successive tests, Allott's involvement has been restricted to 12th man duties.

"I've been working out by bowling 250 balls a week to maintain my fitness so I hope to get an opportunity."

National selection panel convener Ross Dykes said it was likely the quicker bowlers would be rotated during the series.

Allott had the frustration of being certain to play in the first test at Dunedin, which was washed out, but after being sidelined in Wellington, where New Zealand won, was always unlikely to play in Hamilton.

Dykes said Allott offered a contrast with his bowling style and New Zealand's aim was to take wickets in the early overs when the ball was new. He said he also provided an option of bowling at the end of an innings, where he had performed the role effectively at the mini World Cup in Dhaka when returning to the top level.

Dykes said fellow left-arm swing bowler Shayne O'Connor was the unlucky player after bowling well in the Shell Cup.

Two changes have been made from the test team which beat India 1-0 in the series which ended yesterday with one-day specialists Chris Harris and Gavin Larsen predictably returning to the team.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)