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Ross confident frontline batsmen will deliver
October 06, 2003 19:33 IST
New Zealand coach Ashley Ross says he is not worried by the fact that his frontline batsmen did not get big scores in the lead-up matches to the first cricket Test against India, starting in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, and is confident of them hitting form when it matteres.
Ross told reporters after net practice on Monday that the team has prepared in right earnest and is looking forward to the encounter despite the top batsmen failing in the side game at Rajkot and not even getting a chance to bat (due to rains) in the Visakhapatnam tie.
"We are not too worried about Nathan [Astle], Scott Styris and skipper Stephen Fleming not getting big scores as they are quality players and can strike form any time," he said.
"Our preparation is going on the right track and we believe in our batsmen's ability to perform in Test matches. Our frontline bowlers -- Jacob Oram and Daryel Tuffey -- too had long spells at Rajkot and have proved that they can cope up with heat and humidity over here [in India]," Ross said.
Asked about the team's not-so-impressive fielding in the three-day tie against India 'A' at Rajkot, Ross, replied, "Fielding shows the attitude of the players. The players took it easy as it was just a side game. Come the Test match they will pick up their fielding standards."
Among the New Zealand batsmen, opening batsman Mark Richardson and all-rounder Oram scored centuries at Rajkot while the other opener, Lou Vincent, and Craig Mcmillan showed glimpses of their talent when they held the innings together in the second innings after their team had lost four wickets for just 39 runs.
Among the bowlers Oram and Tuffey have shown they can generate pace on Indian wickets while left arm spinner Daniel Vettori was quite impressive in the three-day matches.
On security arrangements at the stadium, Ross said they are more than satisfied.
"Security and hospitality has been top class so far and we hope it will continue to be good throughout the two-match Test series and the tri-series after that," he added.
The tri-series will be played between India, New Zealand and Australia later this month.