Bay on the right track: Cairns

GROWING AS A LEADER: Poverty Bay coach Lance Cairns said Danny Gibbs (pictured) deserved credit for the way he led the team in their two wins over Northern Districts Maori here at the weekend. “My role is off the field, getting the guys ready to play. Once they cross the rope Danny’s in charge and he made some very good decisions.” Picture by Paul Rickard

IF the Poverty Bay-Northern Districts Maori cricket matches become an annual fixture then association groundsman Rowan Clark will have made a major contribution, says Bay coach and former New Zealand international Lance Cairns.

“I had a word with the ND Maori captain and player-coach Leighton Parsons after Sunday’s game and he said he would love to make it an annual fixture,” said Cairns.

“He spoke highly of the way the wicket was prepared and Rowan deserves credit. He really came to the party with his work on the ground.

“Leighton said they don’t get a lot of opportunity to play on grass wickets as well prepared as ours this early in the season.”

Bollywood Poverty Bay won both games — a twenty20 on Saturday and 35-over match on Sunday.

While “very pleased with the wins and the character shown by the guys at crucial stages of both games”, Cairns said they would not be getting carried away.

“It’s a step in the right direction but we’ll get a better indication of where we’re at when we play Hawke’s Bay on November 5. They will be a hell of a lot tougher. But that’s what you want . . . to play tough opposition.”

Cairns, into the second of his three-year plan, said apart from winning both games the biggest positive for him was that the players were starting to realise they had to play as a team while performing their individual roles within that team structure.

“It may sound strange but players, especially young players and those who are not used to winning, have to learn how to win.

“We had a good chat in the dressing room and the guys carried that on to the pitch.

“They also showed they were prepared to battle to get the wins. They were in trouble in both games but showed character, worked hard for themselves and each other, and got the rewards.

“Two wins is a huge confidence boost.”

Cairns also had praise for new Bay selectors Ian Loffler and Ryan Majstrovic.

“They’ve both been involved in Poverty Bay cricket a lot longer than I have and they bring some new ideas on players to the table.

“JP (Jonathan Purcell), for example, is someone I didn’t know a lot about but both spoke highly of his ability to work the ball around.

“He didn’t get many chances to show that at the weekend but did enough to let me know he will get more opportunities.

“I was also impressed with his fielding ability, given that the outfield was very quick.”

Meanwhile, Cairns was rapt with the Black Caps’ win against India in a ODI match in Mumbai — only the Black Caps eighth win in 33 ODIs in India.

“It’s a fantastic result,” said Cairns. “I’ve played in Mumbai and just walking from the dressing room to the pitch the sweat is pouring off you and you’re soaking wet from the heat and humidity.

“It was a tremendous display of batting from Ross (Taylor, 95) and Tom (Latham, 103 not out). They deserved to get the headlines but the work of Trent Boult (left-armer seam bowler) should bot be underestimated.

“Trent bowled exceptionally well, with the heat and the humidity. Mitchell Santner also made valuable contributions with the ball. But we can expect a totally different wicket for the next game (in Puna tonight NZ time). It will be slow, low and take turn.”