Runs needed to relieve feelings of embarrassment

Lynn McConnell

December 27, 2002

Embarrassing is the word New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent uses to describe the bowler-dominated National Bank Series with India this summer.

Embarrassing because, like the strokemakers on both sides, the batsmen have been unable to buy a run, and with the World Cup on the horizon, failures are not really on the wish list for batsmen competing for spots.

However, the chances are that Napier's McLean Park may provide some much needed relief on Sunday.

At the moment, a score of 200 would be welcomed by all and sundry, but in reality local history suggests a score of much higher will be required to win.

If it is of the standard required, the relief will be shared by both sides.

Vincent spoke to CricInfo today of the frustrations that are being similarly shared by the batsmen of the two sides.

"It's tough. You try so hard, you train so hard, the mindset of the wickets does play in the back of your mind a little bit.

"You have the positive intent, but when the ball moves around a little bit you think two things: do I go out and guts it out a little bit or do I go out and swing the bat a little bit, and get a lucky 30, 40 or 50, which would have been the top score."

All he wants to do is hit a couple of firm cover drives, play a couple of pulls and hook shots, just to feel the ball off the middle of the bat.

Vincent described what has happened during the series as "freaky."

Wellington was always going to be a little juicy but Hamilton was unexpected as was the drop-in pitch used at Eden Park.

Complicating the situation in all games was the fact the bowlers were also doing so well.

"As a batsman it's embarrassing. That's the only way I can describe it.

"You go out there and you are armoured up, you've trained for hours and hours and you go out there. You face 15 balls for 10 runs and 120 is either the score you have made or you are chasing.

"It's been an embarrassing start to the season, apart from Mark Richardson who has shown such good application, but so many of the stroke players: you look at [Nathan] Astle, [Craig] McMillan, myself and even [Mathew] Sinclair to a degree, we're all strokemakers and it cuts our game out a little bit."

"It's embarrassing. Kids say, 'Louie you're a legend' and stuff like that and I've been 10 this week and 10 last week, and how is that going to be inspirational for an up and coming batsman?

"As professional batsmen we've got to get smarter and do the job a bit better in our own conditions," he said.

India are equally afflicted and there wouldn't be a cricket lover in New Zealand who has not been disappointed in seeing the Indians in full cry.

But Vincent added that there was a responsibility for the batsmen to get smarter.

"If we're playing games in our own backyard we want to win and have the conditions in our favour. So as batters we have to get smarter.

"We're looking forward to Napier, it was optional today but everyone decided to make it a full team practice. Everyone needs to hit as many balls as possible. Guys know they have to keep working and keep strong," he said.

Vincent also spoke about the consequences of not scoring as the requirements demand.

There was undoubtedly a feeling of pressure building up on the batsmen and he said it was only natural that if he didn't perform the selectors might want to look at someone else.

"You love playing for your country and if you nick out here and nick out there, get a rough decision, or something, then you're four games without scoring then hold on! If you don't score in the next game then you might be having a rest and someone else comes in.

"That's part of professional sport, it's never going to be roses all the time. You've got to take the good and bad.

"But for me, I just want to raise the bat and get the feeling of doing something for your country and because I haven't done that it's tough and it gets personal as well because it becomes emotional. When you haven't done anything, it is really hard work," he said.

Despite the batting frustrations there was a buzz in the New Zealand side and Vincent said that while they were sitting around feeling a little flat today after the Auckland win, coach Denis Aberhart reminded the players that while the cricket wouldn't win any beauty contests, New Zealand had still won two Tests and the first One-Day International.

It was better to be in New Zealand's position than India, he had told them.

There was also a feeling that the World Cup was occupying the minds of the players already. It was something that affected the team in 1992 when New Zealand co-hosted the event and played such inspirational cricket that bad form against England in the preceding series, disappeared the moment the World Cup started.

Vincent said it was great to see players like Jacob Oram stepping up.

"We're a good team. I can't help thinking about the World Cup - and having a fully fit squad, I think it's going to be our best chance.

"We're not playing in Asia where it is hot and you get run down, we're playing in conditions where it is going to suit us with pace and bounce. We always seem to struggle in Asia," he said.

At the moment the New Zealanders are also struggling at home, but hopefully Napier will ease the burden and allow the cricket of both teams to flourish.

© Cricinfo

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