New Zealand Squad To Acclimatise In Cairns (23 Oct 1996)

23 October 1996

Squad to acclimatise in Cairns

by Geoff Longley

Conditions the New Zealand cricketers will strike in Cairns next week are more likely to simulate what they will meet on next month`s tour to Sharjah and Pakistan than in Christchurch says coach Steve Rixon.

"The heat and humidity in Cairns will help prepare us for the climate on the sub-continent. The pitches will be harder and drier in Queensland than we can find at this stage of the season in New Zealand.

Rixon said conditions were weighted in the bowlers favour during two recent training camps this month in Christchurch, which was not unexpected given their timing.

"Some guys like Fleming and Parore really applied themselves and got the rewards with big scores. But on the wickets in Cairns, which will be a little bouncier and truer, we should see more guys running into form."

"I`m happy with what the bowlers have been doing, we just want to get some more of the batsmen into nick." The New Zealand team, which assembles in Auckland today and departs tomorrow, will play three matches among 10 days playing and training in Cairns.

Rixon wanted to view the outcome of the efforts there before finalising the batting order and bowling line-ups. However, he did not envisage much change from the recent past.

Rixon said he wanted flexibility in the team`s approach to the one-day game.

"Sri Lanka has set the standard now about getting a flyer in the first 15 overs, but conditions do have a big bearing on what approach you adopt."

Having been a wicketkeeper-batsman at international level, Rixon hopes to help captain and wicketkeeper Lee Germon on tour.

"At least I can understand what he`s on about with the gloves and hopefully can help in some areas.

"The wicketkeeper really sets the standard for the fielding team being the hub of everything."

By the end of the last demanding season when Germon had major responsibility thrust upon him, his wicketkeeping dropped below its usual standard.

"I`m not there to dictate tactics, but having someone watching from a different perspective is often a help between sessions."

Meanwhile, the team vice-captain will be finalised when the team is in Cairns.

Rixon felt the person chosen had to be in the playing XI and also act as a third selector.

Possible contenders are experienced campaigners Mark Greatbatch and Gavin Larsen who have performed the role before, while Fleming has been a New Zealand Youth team skipper and did some captaincy during the Christchurch camp last week.

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