Caps off to a perfect partnership (19 February 1999)

19 February 1999

Caps off to a perfect partnership

The Christchurch Press

Chris Harris and Gavin Larsen have been two of the cornerstones of the New Zealand one-day cricket team in the 1990s. They talk to Geoff Longley.

When picking a New Zealand cricket team for limited-over matches, Chris Harris and Gavin Larsen are automatic selections.

The pair perform similar roles with their frugal bowling in the middle of opposition innings, holding the Black Caps' bowling attack together in the face of the world's best batsmen.

But the time is approaching, probably after the forthcoming World Cup in May-June in England, that one of New Zealand's best on-field partnerships will be broken.

Larsen admits retirement is on the agenda and knows, at 36, he will not be around for another World Cup. Meanwhile, Harris, 29, feels that form and fitness allowing, another cup campaign four years on is still possible.

"The World Cup this year was a big carrot to keep me going if I could get back on the park," said Larsen while the Black Caps were in Christchurch this week. Larsen overcame successive injuries which sidelined him for most of last season -- stress fractures in a foot and then back -- to return to the team.

"I was hoping to get back earlier than I did this season, but we have managed it. I did a lot of strengthening and flexibility work like some other bowlers with injuries (Geoff Allott, Simon Doull, and Chris Cairns) have done and that's been invaluable."

It was probably inevitable that Larsen's back would eventually succumb. Despite bowling at no more than medium pace, Larsen has delivered almost 1000 overs at limited-over level for New Zealand, plus thousands for Wellington, all in the same steady style from a first-class career that began 15 seasons ago.

Over the years Larsen has experienced the highs and lows of the New Zealand one-day team. He believes the current crop has been more consistently successful because of the additional management structures and the culmination of a gradual maturing process.

"I don't think you can have information overload and adding Ashley Ross (technical adviser) and Gilbert Enoka (sports psychologist) has been invaluable. They have been two crucial guys in the set up. Also there have been stable selection policies in place. Guys are feeling more secure about their places and a lot of them are now in their late 20s, not their early 20s."

Among Larsen's career highlights is the 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand where the Black Caps reached the semi-finals with a successful run.

The last World Cup in India and Pakistan in early 1996 holds fewer fond memories after the disappointment of being injured and missing the vital quarter-final match against Australia which New Zealand came close to winning.

Among the myriad of one-day matches which can become a blur, Larsen said the series that followed the last World Cup, against West Indies, was special. "We won our first one-day game there and going into the last match were tied at two-all. There were some great games and Harry and I had a good series."

Larsen said that before the six-game series against South Africa, he and Harris realised that they would be likely targets for the aggressive Proteas batsmen and discussed ways of countering that. South African skipper Hansie Cronje made it clear before the tour began that dominating the pair was a key strategy in his game plan.

"One of the key things for me is getting Adam (Parore) up to the stumps. On a wicket with a bit of pace I prefer to have Adam standing back for the edge, but when they start coming down the wicket you need the keeper standing up. It's usually my call."

Larsen said his tactic when bowling his off-cutters on a wicket offering some help is to hit the strings (seam) as often as possible.

"On a flatter wicket I will try to use more subtle variations, like a slower ball or an effort ball and/or perhaps holding my fingers across the seam to try and get it to skid on.

"But my goal is always never to give the batsman width to play and free himself up."

Larsen said he felt Harris and he worked well in tandem because of their ability to put a clamp on the scoring in the middle order of an innings, usually between the 15 and 40-over mark.

"If we've made a good start we can carry that on or hopefully we can peg back some players if they have made a flyer."

Larsen said the quicker bowlers were often used in the concluding overs with their ability to sometimes reverse swing the ball and bowl blockhole or yorker deliveries.

The pair will be hoping to strike conditions in their favour in England in the spring when the wickets can assist bowlers of their ilk.

"It's hard to know exactly what the tracks will be like but it sounds like there is a variety and some should be doing a bit."

Harris has had considerable experience in English conditions, playing several seasons in the Lancashire league for Ramsbottom.

Harris said he enjoyed bowling with Larsen because he knew The Postman, as Larsen has been dubbed because of his ability to deliver miserly spells, would bowl so accurately that it eased the pressure on him.

"The idea is we try and squeeze the life out of an innings and hope the batsmen will take risks against us. Once in a while they can come off, but the odds tend to be in the bowler's favour."

Harris best describes his deliveries as the type produced by Indian slow bowler Anil Kumble.

"They are leg spinners but roll out of the hand, not rip out like some leggies."

Harris said he had to adjust his style several seasons ago from his medium-pace in-swingers, which his action is suited to, because the then coach, Glenn Turner, did not want Harris taking the ball across the right-handed batsmen which could be picked off for runs.

Harris said he was looking forward to the World Cup, every player's highlight with the gathering of the world's best nations.

"I've been lucky enough to have had two good series; in 1992 when I was among the top wicket-takers and in 1996 when I made those runs (130) against Australia."

Harris said he relished the role of being placed under pressure to perform with bat or ball. "At different times during a game the team is depending on you and it's a great feeling if you can perform."

Harris said he felt a more professional approach to the Black Caps cricket was paying off with better performances. "More stringent procedures and disciplines are in place and the guys are responding to them. We now have proper warm downs, and pre-game sessions, next day recoveries, and debriefs which all contributes to the right sort of environment."

New Zealand will not be among the warm World Cup favourites but, with Larsen and Harris harassing the batsmen, the run-getting risks are always higher than usual.

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