Late dash aids Doull's effort (28 December 1998)

28 December 1998

Late dash aids Doull's effort

The Christchurch Press

New Zealand's swing bowling king Simon Doull put his best foot forward at India's batsmen's expense, thanks to the assistance of unheralded helper Sheila Graham.

Mrs Graham, wife of New Zealand manager John, had to dash back to the team's hotel before the second cricket test started on Saturday to retrieve Doull's new cricket shoe inserts he had left behind.

With just 15 minutes to spare before play began Mrs Graham arrived back at the Basin Reserve, having hunted Doull's new footwear out of another pair of shoes.

"It was quite funny really," said Doull, adding that Graham told him he had better take the first five wickets for him because of his help.

"I was happy to oblige," Doull said yesterday.

Doull, 29, returned career-best first-class figures of seven for 65, the fourth best in New Zealand test history.

Doull showed why he is regarded as New Zealand's attacking spearhead with a sublime performance, capturing the first seven wickets in India's star-studded batting line-up.

The Hamiltonian was threatening Sir Richard Hadlee's record test nine-wicket haul and was receiving some ribbing from his team-mates about it.

"But I was very happy when Dion (Nash) got the eighth and the boys tidied things up. I was getting a bit tired."

Doull was a doubtful starter for the test, having battled calf muscle strains in both legs. The injuries have restricted his early-season bowling to just a handful of overs.

On the recommendation of team physiotherapist Mark Harrison and NZC's medical staff, including doctor Rob Campbell, Doull made a flying visit to Christchurch to visit podiatrist Greg Woolman. It was thought that imbalances in his feet might be creating the muscle problems.

"I had a mould taken and then picked them (the inserts) up again on my way through from Dunedin to Wellington for this test. They were a bit uncomfortable for the first few days and my feet were aching but they've settled down now.

"I can't say categorically that they've made a difference but I certainly haven't had any problems so far. They seem sensible to wear given the amount of time we are on our feet and the job I'm doing."

Doull said he pulled up rather stiff and sore on Saturday, hardly surprising after his workload of 24 overs.

"But I had a petty good massage and the calf seems fine. I suppose I felt a bit apprehensive going into the game having not played for a while and the decision was left up to me.

"Getting a couple of wickets early was just the thing to get the adrenalin going and things just went from there."

Doull's seven-wicket haul enabled him to advance to 90 test wickets and edge closer to his goal of 100.

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