G Longley: 'Outcasts' given another chance (23 Sep 1996)

From The Press September 23, 1996

'Outcasts' given another chance

Pringle, Greatbatch recalled

by Geoff Longley

The careers of several New Zealand cricket outcasts and rebels have been rekindled with the naming of the 15-man team last night for the tour to Sharjah and Pakistan in November.

A desire by also recalled selection panel convener Ross Dykes to field the best possible team has led to the return of Chris Pringle, Simon Doull, and Mark Greatbatch who were on the outer as last season unfolded.

Also included are Adam Parore and Chris Cairns who were not offered contracts by New Zealand Cricket for their critical outbursts after the West Indies tour.

NZC chief executive Christopher Doig said past indiscretions were being put to one side and players started under new coach Australian Steve Rixon with a clean slate.

"But we have also signalled that if anyone steps out of line they will get jumped on through the code of conduct."

Doig said the feeling was that Parore and Cairns had been punished enough by not getting contracts among the initial group of 13. The duo will receive the same match fees as the other players on tour.

In the case of Parore, who has had a number of clashes with officialdom, it may be his last chance.

The return of Pringle, who had been in trouble for off-field misdemeanours two seasons ago, had not been taken lightly, said Doig.

"I gather the selectors have looked pretty closely at his situation and feel he has reformed."

Pringle, one of few bowlers to take 100 one-day international wickets, probably gets his chance because of the back injury to Dion Nash who has not recovered sufficiently for this tour.

The only player among the contracted 13 to miss selection is all-rounder Justin Vaughan who is unlucky but probably suffers from the side already having two other similar-style players, Chris Harris and Gavin Larsen.

Vaughan has always done his best when called upon for New Zealand and played grittily while others succumbed during the last tests against the West Indies.

Dykes said it was possible to have too many "bits and pieces players" in a side and there was a desire to have specialists, especially with the injury-prone record of New Zealand pace bowlers.

Blair Pocock gets the chance to consolidate a test opener's batting berth winning the position ahead of Bryan Young.

However, before the side departs, Pocock, who has had shoulder problems and not played for New Zealand since 1994 faces a fitness test along with Danny Morrison, who is recovering well after a groin operation.

Mark Haslam gains the second spin bowling position ahead of young leg-spinner Greg Loveridge who appeared to have the inside running under former selection panel chief and coach Glenn Turner.

Two training camps will be held in Christchurch next month before the team assembles in Auckland on October 23 with a further training camp in Cairns, north Queensland. A vice-captain will be named before departure.

The team is: Lee Germon (captain), Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Stephen Fleming (Canterbury); Simon Doull, Blair Pocock (Northern Districts); Mark Haslam, Danny Morrison, Adam Parore, Dipak Patel, Chris Pringle (Auckland); Mark Greatbatch, Craig Spearman (Central Districts). Coach: Steve Rixon. Manager: Earle Cooper. Physiotherapist: Mark Plummer.

Copyright © 1996 The Christchurch Press Company Ltd.

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