NZ_LOCAL_NEWS_07JAN95

Couple of likely outcomes (gleaned from the press) of NZ tour of SA:

1. Geoff Howarth (coach) looks likely to lose his job. Leading contenders mentioned so far are John Reid (elder) and Bevan Congdon. Glen Turner also rates a mention. Seems to me that someone to provide both battle hardness AND technique coaching is required. That person may not exist and we may need two people - which brings its own problems of course - ask the All-Blacks.

2. It seems not likely that there will be major changes of playing personnel. After all, the best players available - by and large - have been picked. There is much speculation about Ken Rutherford's job. This was so even before his bad example on the 4th day of the last test, but that has really fanned the flames. My pick is that he will survive though that is a "close call" as we say down under. Problem is lack of real contenders for the job. The best players are not suitable, and the best captain (Lee Germon) has not established himself as a player. I favour the Germon option. Parore's keeping has not progressed and we are looking to him more and more as a specialist batsman these days. Germon could take over as keeper AND later as captain.

AS for Rutherford, his batting average in the mid-20s is at least 10 too low for a middle order test player and is only marginally worth his place in the team as a player. There is, however, a school of thought which says his average over the last few years is higher and that is what is real. He is a great believer in the latest psycho- babble about being "positive." Unfortunately, being too "positive" in test-match innings all too often leads to one's downfall. Witness his injudicious hooking and cutting. Sadly, his best run gathering shots are also very likely to get him out at this level. He also plays across the ball on the leg side - a bit like Mark Waugh.

3. There is general agreement that a report will be sent in about Barry Lambson who made several close calls in the last test. He is regarded as "incompetent" both by the team and by the management. I think this is unfortunate. Lambson (and Mitchley before him) has made a rod for his own back by his honesty. He apologised for getting the Cronje non-dismissal wrong, and recalled Steve Fleming when he realised he'd made another mistake. What did they want? Let Fleming go and compound the error? The general consensus here is that Mitchley and Lambson should both have kept quiet. Extraordinary. Sign of the times alas.