Just play better, Benaud tells New Zealand (22 October 1998)

22 October 1998

Just play better, Benaud tells New Zealand

The Christchurch Press

New Zealand should forget joining Australia's domestic competition and focus on making players mentally strong, says the voice and face of cricket.

Channel 9 and BBC cricket commentator and former all-rounder Richie Benaud says he has been impressed with the New Zealand team in recent times.

"I think (captain Stephen) Fleming's doing a good job. I think he's a good cricketer. One of the most difficult things is there's players in your side with a lot of ability, but there's times when they don't make the most of it," Benaud told The Press yesterday.

Benaud hit the headlines in other part of the world last night, when Mick Jagger, the loud and raunchy wild man of rock, revealed the former Australian captain was his idol.

Jagger is one of several British celebrities, including motor-racing legend Stirling Moss and prominent politician Lord Archer, to join a campaign to keep the veteran television commentator on the air amid upheaval in broadcasting of the game in Britain.

Benaud also commentates for the BBC in Britain, but it has lost the rights to screen cricket to Channel 4.

Benaud said that his future in Britain was uncertain, although he would be with the BBC at next year's World Cup.

Jagger said: "I've been watching Test cricket on TV for many years and it would be a disaster if I could not tune in at 11am on the first day of the first test and hear those immortal words: 'Good morning, everyone'."

Yesterday, Benaud was using that distinctive voice to pass on some advice to New Zealand.

On the suggestion from many former players that New Zealand should take part in the Sheffield Shield competition in Australia, Benaud said he "wouldn't have a bar of it".

"New Zealand is a nation and as such can produce winning or drawing or a losing team. You don't want to be part of the Sheffield Shield.

"Just get out there and play better. Play better and play under your own flag and own cap."

He meant being more organised, playing with more skill, and choosing the best players.

He believed New Zealand could learn from the tough mental approach of the Australians.

"Some people might say Australia don't have the right mental approach in that they are too hard.

"But when you are out there in the centre and there's a guy trying to destroy your career, it is a hard game and you have to be mentally strong to counteract that."

He said being mentally strong was not about sledging.

"That's just incidental to the game. It's a mirror of life."

Sledging didn't happen in his day because "we were too busy trying to play properly and play well".

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