Reactions, Opinions and the State of Play

There's certainly been a good amount of discussion on the state of things in New Zealand Cricket following the Bangladesh debcale. David has done a good job of putting some of these pieces together. I suppose if all this ranting and finger-pointing - at the management as well as the players - were to lead to some healthy debate, it wouldn't be a bad thing.

It could be that the Bangladesh tour was a sick joke best forgotten, and the players simply need to pick themselves up and focus on what lies ahead. Captain Dan insists the buck stops with him and the players, but it can't detract from the bigger picture; in International Cricket's jungle, New Zealand is an increasingly vulnerable beast, and performances like this aren't helping its cause. The thing is, since 2007 - when Vettori became captain and Justin Vaughan CEO - very little progress seems to have been made, and it's beginning to feel like an Emperor's New Clothes situation.

The last I can recall there being such widespread concern about the state of things, was probably late 2008 when we well beaten in both tests in Australia. Now there's a comparison, losing to Australia and to Bangladesh. Mike (of the now dormant blog Mike on Cricket, the major inspiration for this site) wrote an excellent post which summed up the situation then. The fact that most what he said is still relevant two years later is telling. And he even mentioned Kane Williamson!

It is apparent that the powers-that-be stand little chance against the long arms of the IPL and country cricket (Hamish Marshall, Iain O'Brien and Johan Myburgh have all migrated to the UK). Coaching expertise especially appears to be out of reach, and we are supposed to feel lucky that the IPL lot, unlike their West Indian counterparts, all agreed to sign contracts with NZC.

If that's the case, then it pretty much comes down to the players and their aspirations. Much as I have been displeased with the management for a variety of reasons, from reducing the number of home tests to driving a dozen important players away from the side, it must be said the current crop of players mostly call the shots. They ensured that John Bracewell had an extended run as coach, they wanted Andy Moles out and got it, and their captain is as influential as possible. Perhaps a Duncan Fletcher or Steve Rixon-type figure would provide the needed guidance.

The difficulties from a player's point of view are not new to NZ cricket as far as I remember. Traditionally, NZ's strengths have stemmed from meticulous preparation, self-made individuals, and making the most of available resources. That ethic seems to have slipped a bit. I mean, if you find there are no warm-ups organised for a subcontinent visit, push to arrange for some practice in Darwin. If you think you have a problem facing left arm spin, pick your skipper's brains. And if you feel the gap between the domestic game and the international one is too huge, remember that Mark Richardson began cricketing life as a specialist spinner and Scott Styris as a Gavin Larsen wannabe.