NZ: Doull takes major strides in comeback (9 Oct 1997)

October 09, 1997

Doull takes major strides in comeback

The Press

Simon Doull took a significant step toward regaining his place in the New Zealand cricket team when he completed 13 overs for the New Zealand Academy against Wellington at Lincoln Green yesterday.

The Northern Districts swing bowler missed New Zealand's recent tour of Kenya and Zimbabwe because of a back injury, but he operated impressively in three spells yesterday.

Doull bowled within himself in his opening spell of five overs, which included the wicket of Wellington opener Selwyn Blackmore caught smartly at gully by Matthew Sinclair.

Doull returned later in the first session to bowl a brisk five-over spell, which included two maidens, and he rounded off his work with three overs in the afternoon when centurion Roger Twose was in full flight.

"I went about 65 per cent in my first spell and then stepped it up to around 80 per cent," Doull said.

Doull finished with one wicket for 33 off 13 overs but of greater satisfaction was way his body held up after six hours in the field.

"I didn't feel any back pain but the big test will be in the morning. I expect I'll be a bit stiff considering it was my first bowl outdoors in six or seven months," Doull said.

Doull will play in a Northern Districts trial match this weekend and safely through that he will leave the matter to the national selectors.

Doull said the likelihood of the injury recurring on the tour of Australia later this month was always a concern.

Experienced Wellington batsman Jason Wells and test umpire Dave Quested were both impressed with Doull's comeback. Despite Doull's presence the Academy team's first innings total of 300 for eight on Monday was surpassed by Wellington.

Twose finished unbeaten on 124 with the next best contributions from opener John Aiken (32) Wells (27) and Robbie Kerr (21).

Twose hit 19 fours and three sixes in his 207 minute stay, mixing bouts of aggression with long periods of defence.

Scores: New Zealand Academy 300-8 and 103-2 (Craig Cumming 33no) drew with Wellington 301-7 (Twose 124no, Aiken 32, Hamish Barton 4-55).

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