DON'T BE CRAZY
Aussie coach Justin Langer believes the experience, leadership and advice of Steve Smith and David Warner is invaluable to the Test squad and says it would be silly of captain Tim Paine not to ask them for advice.
A FORMER New Zealand cricket captain has warned Kane Williamson’s Kiwis that tours of England and South Africa will not have conditioned them for the “white hot’’ furnace that awaits this summer.
Ken Rutherford made two Test tours of Australia in the 1980s and ’90s in the last era when Kiwi Test squads were invited to play a Test at the MCG, a tradition which will be revived this month.
“When you go to Australia you don’t really know until you are exposed to the fierce white hot pressure of playing there,’’ Rutherford said.
“One of the things we cannot underestimate is that the current crop of players have never played a Test in Melbourne or Sydney. It is all new to them.
“I know from experience you hop into a cab in Melbourne and you are public enemy No.1.
“That whole all-encompassing white hot atmosphere, they won’t be accustomed to. They have toured South Africa and England but it’s a whole different kettle of fish to touring Australia when you think you are half a chance.
“I absolutely give them a chance, but the two major issues are the top order batting and their spin bowling.’’
Rutherford is concerned over the side strain to key pace weapon
Trent Boult, but believes the form of Tim Southee and the underestimated Neil Wagner is first class.
“We have a really strong middle order and seam bowling is no issue at all,” he said.
“There has to be an issue over Trent Boult because a side strain is a big thing. He looked as though he was underdone when I last saw him bowl.
“Southee has impressed me. On two unresponsive wickets in New Zealand against England he swung the ball when it was swinging. He bowls cutters and slower deliveries as well. In many ways, he was the pick of the bowlers
“Neil Wagner just gets wickets. His strike rate in New Zealand is second to Sir Richard Hadlee and it’s a large sample of matches played. He’s outstanding.
“A lot has been made how he bounces players out but he is no one-trick pony. He bowled a few spells last series where he pitched the ball up and swung it and he bowled bloody well. “Whether Mitchell Santner is our best spin bowler, I’m not so sure. He has done well as an all-rounder. ’’
While the late start of the daynight Perth Test will mean it will finish in the early hours of the morning in New Zealand, Rutherford said the late finish was not an issue for Kiwi fans. “We are all excited about it,” he said. “It will start around 5pm at home and people will watch it in pubs and go home and collapse around tea.’’