Wednesday, Dec 18, 2002
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Cricket
By S. Dinakar
New Zealand manager Jeff Crowe giving catching practice to members of his team here in Hamilton on Tuesday. — Photo: N. Balaji
``We will go for a 2-0 sweep,'' he said when the media caught up with him on Tuesday. "Normally, we would have been happy with a 1-0 series victory, but we are in a situation to go for a clean sweep.'' As the cricket manager, his probably is the most diverse and dynamic role in the New Zealand side. Given his zest for his job, passion for the game, and motivational skills, he is the right man too. During his playing days, Jeff Crowe fought hard at the crease for New Zealand, as a middle-order batsman who held his own in crunch situations. A `tough as nails' Kiwi with the `attitude' of an Aussie. He may not have possessed the natural gifts of his younger brother Martin, but earned the respect of his adversaries for his combative approach. It's not surprising really that he is playing a key role when New Zealand cricket is in the midst of a transformation, drawing the three Test series in Australia, humbling the West Indies in the Caribbean, and crushing the Indians in the first Test of the on-going series. The heat is on the Indians in a short series. Jeff knows it, but is cautious with his words. "They are world class players. They can fight back. We know that the Indian team is a lot more resilient overseas than it used to be, and although we didn't see that in the second innings at the Basin Reserve, this Indian team has a lot more heart and soul. They are normally prepared to fight and it was a big surprise that they didn't actually do it in Wellington.'' The Kiwis pacemen, spearheaded by Shane Bond, performed the demolition job on a seaming Basin Reserve pitch, and the catching in the Indian second innings was brilliant. The Kiwis flew high on the third day and Jeff feels the dispute over payments preceding the series might have actually made the side more determined. "The belief is there and we are ranked third in Test cricket now. It's reward for hard work. There was a bit of a stand-off and they were eager to show to the public that they are a good side. That they deserved what was negotiated. I guess there was an extra edge to the team, that we hadn't seen in a while,'' he observes. However, the New Zealand batting — the side collapsed from 181 for three to 247 all out providing India with a distinct chance — left him disappointed. "We could have turned out a neat professional performance by making 350 and then put our foot on the throttle.'' Opener Mark Richardson's tenacious ways at the crease has been heartening to the Kiwi camp though. Jeff elaborates "You need a strike bowler, whether he is a seam bowler or a spinner. We have both (Bond and Vettori). But you must also have someone at the top of the order to take on the new ball, be dogged and allow the free-stroking batsmen to do their job. You need a foundation and Richardson is our foundation. The rock.'' And the fiery Bond has given the New Zealand attack that cutting edge. Jeff acknowledges it. "Shane Bond is a huge asset. He's got pace, got good rhythm and obviously is only going to get better and better.'' If anything, the Hamilton pitch should aid the pacemen even more than the one at the Basin Reserve, and, according to Jeff, there could be some assistance for the spinners too, later in the game. "This one appears green, but it's always a much harder surface underneath than Basin Reserve. There will be more bounce and pace on this pitch. If the wicket turns brown on the fourth and fifth days, it could help the spinners. Zaheer Khan was impressive and the Indian bowlers could do well here.'' Ask him about Indian batting and he quick with his reply. Predictably, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar are at the top of the list. "Rahul Dravid is a wonderfully technically gifted cricketer. I mean, he must be in the top three or four in the world now, and his ability to play correct cricket as well as play aggressive shots makes him one of the finest players to watch.'' Jeff then strikes a parallel between two legends — Sachin Tendulkar and Tiger Woods — "Sachin wouldn't fault as a technician. But, I guess, we have got used to Sachin, over so many years that, you sort of say, it is expected. It's a bit like Tiger Woods hitting down the middle of the fairway.'' He remembers New Zealand's historic Test series triumph in the Caribbean this year with relish. "There's a lot of history there (the West Indies). It was a good reward for Stephen Fleming as captain after that wonderful hundred at the famous venue (Barbados). It was a big moment for New Zealand cricket.'' His former team-mate in the New Zealand side is now the Indian coach and Jeff believes John Wright is doing a fine job, "he's been superb for the Indian team and his record has been outstanding. The series against Australia to me, was one of the highlights of the decade. That fightback by India.'' But then, going into the Hamilton Test, the pressure will be on Wright and skipper Sourav Ganguly. "Sourav has been doing a great job as well. Now he has a job doesn't he, as the captain for the second Test. When you have your back to the wall, you got to come out and lead the pack.'' Jeff Crowe is making his point. With sugar-coated words.
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