New Zealand: Trist aims to show no mercy to Canty cricketers (8 January 1999)

8 January 1999

New Zealand: Trist aims to show no mercy to Canty cricketers

The Christchurch Press

Auckland coach David Trist will have no qualms about chipping away at the strong Canterbury cricket foundations he helped build when the two provinces meet at Jade Stadium (Lancaster Park) today.

Both sides desperately need the two competition points to advance their Shell Cup aspirations. Auckland has won two of its four matches, while Canterbury has won two from three.

"My job is with Auckland, and my heart is certainly with them in this crucial game," said Trist yesterday.

Trist masterminded many triumphs as Canterbury coach a decade ago, but he said yesterday there will be no room for sentiment when he returns to the, albeit renamed, scene of many of those successes.

Of Trist's "main men" from that era, everlasting left-armer Mark Priest is the sole survivor for the day-night encounter. But Trist recalls suspended Llorne Howell was introduced as "a young puppy" and several other current players had been earmarked for future promotion.

"I remember Chris Martin looked a very promising bowler. It surprised me that it has taken him a while to come through, but the competition has been fierce. Warren Wisneski has been a really good gain for Canterbury because he does everything right," said Trist.

"Looking back doesn't benefit anyone much. What we have seen is a continuation of the good work many people in Canterbury cricket have been involved in for a number of years. It's certainly satisfying to see Canterbury continue to perform very well."

But Trist's concerns are naturally with his new team, notorious under-achievers so often in the past. He believes he is making progress.

"The attitude in the side is much more positive. We are confident that on our day we can beat virtually any of the sides, which is a step forward."

Auckland has ridden a cricketing rollercoaster in its cup campaign, failing dismally at home against Wellington, beating Central without the loss of a wicket at the same venue, winning comfortably away to Otago, then falling short of its target against Northern Districts.

"That game was controlled by losing the toss at Blake Park, as Canterbury also discovered, but I still felt we underachieved," said Trist of the 42-run loss to Northern at Mount Maunganui. Canterbury had lost there by 10 runs a few days earlier.

"We have got to come away with two wins this weekend, against Canterbury and Wellington. Some people might regard them as the favourites, I regard them both as very gettable," said Trist.

Stephen Lynch has been replaced by Ian Billcliff, while Richard Morgan returns from injury to tip Craig Pryor out of the Auckland 12. Morgan and fellow seam bowler Kyle Mills are candidates for the 12th man duties.

Auckland: Blair Pocock, Bryan Young, Aaron Barnes, Richard Jones, Ian Billcliff, Lou Vincent, Brooke Walker, Jason Mills, Kyle Mills, Mark Haslam, Chris Drum, Richard Morgan.

Canterbury: Craig Cumming, Brad Doody, Robbie Frew, Tim Walton, Gary Stead, Mark Priest, Carl Anderson, Hamish Barton, Warren Wisneski, Gareth Hopkins, Shane Bond, Chris Martin.

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