Hart sorry for unwanted brother (1 April 1999)

1 April 1999

Hart sorry for unwanted brother

The Christchurch Press

Happiness in the Hart household with Matthew's selection in the New Zealand World Cup one-day cricket team was tempered by brother Robbie missing out on the stand-by squad.

With his selection in the 15-man squad yesterday, Hart, 26, has received a second call-up this season to the New Zealand team, but has still yet to play for the Black Caps since his last limited-over match for New Zealand, three years ago in Pakistan.

The Northern Districts left-arm slow bowler has been enlisted again as a bowling back-up to Daniel Vettori should injury strike the frontline spin bowler on tour. "I'd hoped they would consider taking a back-up for Daniel but I want more than that, to be putting pressure on him," Hart said from Te Puke yesterday.

Hart was called up this season in the New Zealand 12 for the first one-day match against South Africa at Eden Park when it was thought the wicket would take spin, but then made 12th man.

"Hart is our next best one-day slow bowler," said national selection panel convener Ross Dykes, having overtaken Canterbury's experienced left-armer Mark Priest, who was preferred last season and went on a tour to Sri Lanka. Hart said while he was pleased he felt sorry for brother Robbie, who was the New Zealand A wicketkeeper earlier in the season. Otago gloveman Martyn Croy has been included as one of seven stand-by players for the England tour which follows.

The other feature was the omission of top order batsman Bryan Young, the only member of the Black Caps' squad playing South Africa this week to miss making the cup team.

Dykes said that Young was primarily considered as a batting option and not for a reserve wicketkeeping role should incumbent Adam Parore be injured. "We have a stand-by player (Croy) able to be there in 36 hours and it's not been very often something like that happens." Dykes said Matthew Horne could keep in an emergency.

The selectors also decided to retain faith in fast-medium bowler Carl Bulfin, despite two modest performances in his first two one-day games for New Zealand against South Africa.

"Bulfin offers something different. While he has not bowled to perhaps our or his expectations he's got pace and can come back for a second spell."

The World Cup squad will gather in Christchurch on April 24 for a week-long training camp and three warm-up games.

The first on April 25 is the Chris Harris benefit game between North and South sides at Jade Stadium. The other two matches are between New Zealand and New Zealand A at Lincoln Green on April 27 and 29.

World Cup squad: Stephen Fleming (captain), Geoff Allott, Nathan Astle, Christopher Cairns, Chris Harris, Craig McMillan (Canterbury); Carl Bulfin, Gavin Larsen, Roger Twose (Wellington); Simon Doull, Matthew Hart, Daniel Vettori (Northern Districts); Matthew Horne (Otago); Dion Nash, Adam Parore (Auckland).

Stand-by players: Martyn Croy, Shayne O'Connor (Otago), Chris Drum, Bryan Young, Brooke Walker (Auckland); Gary Stead (Canterbury); Matthew Bell (Wellington).

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