Cricket: British press lavish praise on Black Caps

1.00pm

LONDON - England's cricketing scribes were glowing in their praise of New Zealand's tri-series win, labelling their fielding as the main reason for the gulf between they, the hosts and West Indies.

The Independent's Stephen Brenkley wrote New Zealand were clearly the better lineup in a disappointing fractured tournament, upset by poor weather.

"New Zealand, efficient, experienced and ever aware, simply dismantled the West Indies and bucked the fancy new theory that it is necessary to bat second to win one-day internationals," he said.

"They have some way to go but their declared ambition of becoming the No 1 limited overs side is not one for the fairies, as it might be with some teams harbouring similar aspirations."

Veteran Barbados cricket writer Tony Cozier, in the same paper, said the difference was clear.

"The West Indies' opponents were too ruthless, well-drilled and clinically efficient to be denied. The most glaring difference between the two teams was the fielding, an aspect of their game that, more than any other, explains why New Zealand have now deposed South Africa in second spot in the world rankings."

The Telegraph's Scyld Berry bemoaned England's absence from the final and labelling their whole one-day style as "inadequate".

"Our seamers can't bat, our spinners can't take wickets, our batsmen can't bowl and and most of them can't field under pressure," he said.

"Fielding in England is looked upon as a chore, a department of manual labour... Fielding in New Zealand is treated quite differently in this team, it is seen as a manly pastime, a cut or two below rugby. And more than anything it was the fielding that gave New Zealand the final."

Former England offspinner Vic Marks was just as impressed in the Observer.

"The zest and thoroughness of the Kiwis were more than a match for the wayward flair of the West Indies. New Zealand were electric in the field, conjuring three run outs, catching everything that was airborne and yielding nothing from misfields. This was in stark contrast to the West Indies' efforts."

- NZPA