'Exciting' Adams not used properly: Hadlee

WELLINGTON - Andre Adams was a tremendous one-day cricket prospect but was not properly used during the tri-series in Australia, New Zealand chairman of selectors Richard Hadlee said yesterday.

The talented Auckland fast-medium bowler and lower-order batsman was yesterday chosen for his first one-dayer in New Zealand against England in Christchurch on Wednesday after offering hints of his ability in four appearances across the Tasman.

"Andre has untapped potential. He is an exciting prospect," Hadlee said. "In our conditions he can be a real handful. It's all a question of how he is used."

Hadlee disagreed with Adams batting at No 3, as he did on two occasions in Australia, failing both times. Hadlee said he regarded Adams' shot ability as ideal to lift the run rate in the last 10 overs.

Adams was also among the best-equipped players to bowl at the death but, with his inexperience, he was not seen as his best in Australia.

Among New Zealand's concerns in the tri-series was an inability to accelerate the run rate in the closing overs.

Hadlee said that though Wellington fast-medium bowler James Franklin had bowled well on occasions, it was disappointing his batting had not improved.

Franklin was among four players dropped yesterday for the first two matches against England. He was named for Wellington in the State championship match against Northern Districts tomorrow in Hamilton.

Otago's opening batsman Brendon McCullum was retained on the basis that he was a long-term prospect, Hadlee said. McCullum provided an extra batting option down the order.

"Brendon had a couple of useful performances in Australia and we have yet to find out how good he is in New Zealand conditions," Hadlee said.

Though Nathan Astle's tightfisted medium-pace bowling was little used in Australia, largely it seemed because the pitches did not suit him, Hadlee said he expected Astle to again be effective back home.

The New Zealand players returned from Australia over the weekend, and assemble in Christchurch today.