The Hindu : We will play positively: Stephen Fleming

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 19, 2002

Sport

Sport - Cricket

We will play positively: Stephen Fleming

By Rizwan Ehsan Ali

KARACHI April 18. New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming hoped his young team would play competitive cricket in the three limited overs and two-match Test series against Pakistan.

The Black Caps arrived in Pakistan from Sharjah on Thursday after they managed to win just one game in four league matches against Sri Lanka and eventual winner Pakistan.

Though star players Chris Cairns, Dion Nash and Shane Bond are all nursing injuries, Fleming insisted that his team would not go down without putting up a good fight against a strong Pakistan side.

"We will not succumb easily against Pakistan which is at its full strength" said Fleming in his first press briefing soon after his team was escorted from the Quaid-i-Azam International Airport amidst tight security.

"We are here to play positive cricket. We are without our main players, but we will try our best against formidable Pakistan side", Fleming told reporters.

New Zealand was forced to postpone its scheduled trip to Pakistan soon after the terrorist attacked on the United States on September 11 and was forced to return home when it was enroute to Pakistan. However, it was only after the assurance from the Pakistan's interior ministry that New Zealand Cricket (NZC) agreed to fulfil it commitment and rescheduled its tour.

"We are not bothered with the off-field security as we were given assurances by the Pakistan authorities which looks satisfying", Fleming said.

New Zealand was not the only team that postponed its trip to Pakistan last year. West Indies preferred to play at a neutral venue in Sharjah and the three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka also didn't materialise.

"I hope the players would give their best and it would be a trouble free tour", said manager John Dykes.

Dykes refused to accept that security concerns were hyped and that foreign teams resorted to double standards while touring the sub-continent.

"No, that's not true. NZC remained committed to honour the commitment and we are delighted to be here,'' said Dykes.

Coach Denis Aberhart said New Zealand was on course for World Cup 2003. `The team is doing well and all these tours like Sharjah, Pakistan and then tour to West Indies will help in our Cup campaign,'' said Aberhart.

The tour opens with the first one-dayer at Karachi on April 24 followed by matches at Rawalpindi (April 24) and at Lahore (April 27). The first Test starts at Lahore on May 1, while the second Test will be played at Karachi from May 8 to 12.

Wicket-keeper Robbie Hart and Lou Vincent would join the team later on Friday. Vincent has recovered from chest injury he sustained during the Test match against England last month while Hart has been flown as replacement for Chris Nevin, who was injured during the tri-nation tournament in Sharjah.

All-rounders Scot Styris and Jacob Oram, and medium fast bowler James Franklin would be replaced by Chris Martin, Daniel Vettori and Mark Richardson for the Test matches.

The squad: Stephen Fleming (captain), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Ian Butler, James Franklin, Chris Harris, Matt Horne, Craig McMillan, Chris Nevin, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Lou Vincent, Brooke Walker and Robbie Hart.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport