Ko’s chops, changes at just 20 do not feel right

Has Lydia Ko become one of us?

Ko, the former world No 1, is going through coaches and caddies the way the pack goes through golf instruction videos and advice on the internet.

Getting better at golf has got a lot easier thanks to the internet, or so you might think. Finding new techniques took more effort when it involved trundling down to the library or local book shop.

Now help is at hand 24 hours a day. It might even come with a free set of steak knives to use in the clubhouse afterwards.

But I’m guessing that if you could somehow aggregate this, scores in the world of duffer golf might actually have worsened since the internet came along, because changing things all the time rarely works in the long run.

Golf is funny like that, but not in a humorous way, at all levels.

The 20-year-old Ko is now on track to become a former world No 1, permanently.

To drop from the undisputed champ to 10th so quickly means many other LPGA golfers are playing better than she is.

Eden Park patrons will not forget Marcus Stoinis’ maiden appearance at the venue on January 30, 2017. The Australian allrounder brought his side within seven runs of victory in the opening Chappell-Hadlee oneday international against New Zealand.

Tomorrow he gets the chance to repeat the dose in the Twenty20 tri-series match between the sides. Australia are already through to Wednesday’s final; a New Zealand win will guarantee them a berth, too.

“My career pretty much started here, so it’s good to be back,” Stoinis said before practice on the ground’s outer oval yesterday.

He has since fashioned a reputation as a reliable international all-rounder. Last month, the 28-year-old was retained by the Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League for a contract worth $1.3 million. A year ago, in his second ODI, Stoinis came in at 54 for five after 13 overs in a chase for 287. Heading into the fixture he had a List A average of 25.45 and strike rate of 70 with one century in 38 matches. Then he detonated the New Zealand attack, making an unbeaten 146 off 117 balls to supplement three wickets for 49. A standing ovation ensued when he reached his century from fans who often grow in obnoxiousness after a thirsty day in the sun. “I heard it was pretty rare,” Stoinis said as he reflected on the occasion. Our coach [Darren Lehmann] once got hit by a fish on the boundary here.” Lehmann was also the target of a toilet seat during his 1998 appearance at the venue, further enhancing Stoinis’ mana.

Still, he had heeded the lessons of his coach: “Don’t field on the boundary, otherwise you’ll cop it,” he quipped. “Get into the in-field and look after each other.”

Stoinis’ heroics extended to nursing the tail to almost pull off victory. He put on 48 of the 54-run 10th wicket partnership, leaving six to extras. No 11 Josh Hazlewood didn’t face a delivery in his 24-ball stay until Kane Williamson ran him out from silly mid-on to save the day for New Zealand.

If tomorrow night’s T20 match holds anywhere near the same action, it will be a cracker.

Australian skipper David Warner will join the side today after spending a couple of days at home in Sydney.

“He can train there if he needs to,” Stoinis said. “We often play cricket all day, every day, across the year.

“The best thing for him is to probably spend some time at the beach, see the kids, and hopefully he comes back refreshed to have a crack.”