Small NZ fields will test Proteas bowlers

I’ve been working on cleaning up my action and on bowling plans – Morris

PLAYING cricket in New Zealand offers some unique challenges. The weather can be a challenge, but the most taxing problem, for captains and bowlers alike, is the fact that most of the limited-overs matches are played at multi-purpose venues.

The most notorious of all the grounds is the famed All Blacks stronghold, Eden Park, where the Proteas will open their tour with a T20 International tomorrow. Besides having to contend with the baggage of the emotional World Cup semifinal defeat to the Black Caps there two years ago, the field dimensions, which are configured for rugby instead of cricket, pose significant problems for the Proteas too.

The straight boundaries range between 45 and 55 metres, with the slips standing virtually on the fence in a “third man” position.

It can be especially disturbing for bowlers playing their first match at the 2011 Rugby World Cup final venue, like a host of Proteas bowlers, including all-rounder Chris Morris, will be doing tomorrow.

“It’s my first time in New Zealand and it was a bit of a shock to the system when I got here yesterday to see the straight boundaries,” Morris told the media in Auckland yesterday.

“Every stadium has its own dynamics. We have to get used to it, so we will put in the training to try and hit certain areas. It does change it a bit, but you have to adapt to every field you play on.”

In the greater scheme of things, tomorrow’s T20 encounter could be viewed as a warm-up for matters of more consequence like the ODI and Test series to follow. However, it is another test under pressure for South Africa’s young bowling unit hoping to earn the approval of bowling coach Charl Langeveldt after the former Proteas swing-bowler expressed his disappointment at the work of particularly his new-ball bowlers during the recent Sri Lanka series.

Morris, mainly used as a firstchange bowler, came through relatively unscathed by finishing the series with an economy rate of 3.73 runs per over while continuing to chip away in the wickets column. Considering the all-rounder had a reputation for being expensive in the past – his career economy rate is 5.42 – it was a positive step towards securing a place in the Proteas squad for the ICC Champions Trophy later this year.

“It’s been hard work and I have done a lot of work on my action and consistency. I know it’s been an issue for me in the past so I strive to get consistency and eliminate those boundary balls,” Morris said.

“There’s been much work in the nets, looking at my action, how to clean up my action, bowling straight lines and try to change my thinking about how I am going to bowl.”

He is, however, aware that New Zealand’s batting unit will collectively and individually pose a greater test than the Sri Lankans.

The Black Caps are particularly adept in their home conditions too, which has helped the home side move to the No 1 spot on the ICC T20 team rankings list.

“There’s some serious players coming from New Zealand. They are a very aggressive, attacking team.

“They do the basics well and are quite good at home,” Morris added. ALSO INSIDE: How Barca imploded, P24 Brutal Dusi starts, P25 Kiwis pick SA man, P27