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Runs needed to relieve embarrassment
[Lynn McConnell} | [Original
Article]
Embarrassing is the word New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent uses to describe
the bowler-dominated National Bank Series with India this summer.
Embarrassing because, like the strokemakers on both sides, the batsmen
have been unable to buy a run, and with the World Cup on the horizon,
failures are not really on the wish list for batsmen competing for spots.
However, the chances are that Napier's McLean Park may provide some much
needed relief on Sunday.
At the moment, a score of 200 would be welcomed by all and sundry, but
in reality local history suggests a score of much higher will be required
to win.
If it is of the standard required, the relief will be shared by both sides.
Vincent spoke to CricInfo today of the frustrations that are being similarly
shared by the batsmen of the two sides.
"It's tough. You try so hard, you train so hard, the mindset of the
wickets does play in the back of your mind a little bit.
"You have the positive intent, but when the ball moves around a little
bit you think two things: do I go out and guts it out a little bit or
do I go out and swing the bat a little bit, and get a lucky 30, 40 or
50, which would have been the top score."
All he wants to do is hit a couple of firm cover drives, play a couple
of pulls and hook shots, just to feel the ball off the middle of the bat.
Vincent described what has happened during the series as "freaky."
Wellington was always going to be a little juicy but Hamilton was unexpected
as was the drop-in pitch used at Eden Park.
Complicating the situation in all games was the fact the bowlers were
also doing so well.
"As a batsman it's embarrassing. That's the only way I can describe
it.
"You go out there and you are armoured up, you've trained for hours
and hours and you go out there. You face 15 balls for 10 runs and 120
is either the score you have made or you are chasing.
"It's been an embarrassing start to the season, apart from Mark Richardson
who has shown such good application, but so many of the stroke players:
you look at [Nathan] Astle, [Craig] McMillan, myself and even [Mathew]
Sinclair to a degree, we're all strokemakers and it cuts our game out
a little bit."
"It's embarrassing. Kids say, 'Louie you're a legend' and stuff like
that and I've been 10 this week and 10 last week, and how is that going
to be inspirational for an up and coming batsman?
"As professional batsmen we've got to get smarter and do the job
a bit better in our own conditions," he said.
India are equally afflicted and there wouldn't be a cricket lover in New
Zealand who has not been disappointed in seeing the Indians in full cry.
But Vincent added that there was a responsibility for the batsmen to get
smarter.
"If we're playing games in our own backyard we want to win and have
the conditions in our favour. So as batters we have to get smarter.
"We're looking forward to Napier, it was optional today but everyone
decided to make it a full team practice. Everyone needs to hit as many
balls as possible. Guys know they have to keep working and keep strong,"
he said.
Vincent also spoke about the consequences of not scoring as the requirements
demand.
There was undoubtedly a feeling of pressure building up on the batsmen
and he said it was only natural that if he didn't perform the selectors
might want to look at someone else.
"You love playing for your country and if you nick out here and nick
out there, get a rough decision, or something, then you're four games
without scoring then hold on! If you don't score in the next game then
you might be having a rest and someone else comes in.
"That's part of professional sport, it's never going to be roses
all the time. You've got to take the good and bad.
"But for me, I just want to raise the bat and get the feeling of
doing something for your country and because I haven't done that it's
tough and it gets personal as well because it becomes emotional. When
you haven't done anything, it is really hard work," he said.
Despite the batting frustrations there was a buzz in the New Zealand side
and Vincent said that while they were sitting around feeling a little
flat today after the Auckland win, coach Denis Aberhart reminded the players
that while the cricket wouldn't win any beauty contests, New Zealand had
still won two Tests and the first One-Day International.
It was better to be in New Zealand's position than India, he had told
them.
There was also a feeling that the World Cup was occupying the minds of
the players already. It was something that affected the team in 1992 when
New Zealand co-hosted the event and played such inspirational cricket
that bad form against England in the preceding series, disappeared the
moment the World Cup started.
Vincent said it was great to see players like Jacob Oram stepping up.
"We're a good team. I can't help thinking about the World Cup - and
having a fully fit squad, I think it's going to be our best chance.
"We're not playing in Asia where it is hot and you get run down,
we're playing in conditions where it is going to suit us with pace and
bounce. We always seem to struggle in Asia," he said.
At the moment the New Zealanders are also struggling at home, but hopefully
Napier will ease the burden and allow the cricket of both teams to flourish.
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