Confidence will be the key. During the 1980s, New Zealand cricket witnessed a‘golden era’. Wean unbeaten record at home in Test cricket during the decade,besides winning an away series against Australia in 1985-86. We had achieved internationalcredibility.
But between 1987 and 1990, New Zealand lost a number of veterans. LanceCairns, Jeremy Coney, Ewan Chatfield, John Bracewell and I retired, leaving gaps to filland opportunities for younger players to prove their ability.
Since the start of the 1990s there have been some humiliating defeats,which suggest that our emerging players have yet to attain consistency and realise theirpotential.
As a lead-up to the 1992 World Cup, New Zealand played England in aTest and one-day series at home. Martin Crowe, the then New Zealand captain, suffered aninjury which affected his performance. Our form was poor and the team lost confidence initself. And that cost us dear.
However, in the 1992 World Cup, New Zealand won their opening game against Australia,with Crowe scoring 100. This good form continued and New Zealand won seven of their eightpreliminary matches. But one bad day against Pakistan in the semi-final did us in.
When teams are in the process of rebuilding, public expectations add to the pressure onplayers. A number of New Zealand players have been axed over the past 12 months followingthe disastrous 1994-95 tour of South Africa. Coach Geoff Howarth and captain KenRutherford were sacked. Three players were suspended because of drugs, while others weredropped because of poor performance. As many as 33 players have been used in the past 18months. No wonder, the team lacks cohesion.
New coach Glenn Turner is tactically very organ-ised and disciplined. He was thenational coach in 1985, when we won against Australia. Turner has remained close to thegame and demonstrated his analytical abilities in his role as a commentator fortelevision. He is respected by the players.
New Zealand, like some other teams, will encounter some difficulties in adaptingto the conditions in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But Australia’s win in the 1987World Cup in India and Pakistan suggests that these are not insurmountable odds.
The New Zealand tour of India late last year could stand us in goodstead. The Test loss in three days at Bangalore was a disappointment, but two excellentone-day wins restored the team’s confidence. Though India won the final encounter andthe one-day series, this was a positive sign for the future.
The bad news is that Martin Crowe has retired. Dipak Patel couldn’t be includedowing to an injury. Much will, therefore, depend on the all-round skills of Chris Cairns,the bowling experience of Danny Morrison, and the success of two promising young players,all-rounder Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming, a talented and versatile batsman.
Dion Nash is emerging as a strike bowler of some quality. Lee Germon,although new to captaincy at the international level, has a proven record as captain forCanterbury in the domestic competition. With Turner guiding the team, New Zealand couldcause many an upset during the next few weeks.
