Cricket: Mason just a 'bloody good' bowler

John Bracewell casts an eye over Michael Mason, a bowler the national coach reckons has similarities to Ewen Chatfield. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Michael Mason might be out of sight during tomorrow's final one-day international at Eden Park, but he certainly won't be out of mind.

Easily the biggest positive to come out of New Zealand's bowling effort against the West Indies, the 31-year-old was yesterday released from the squad because of ongoing back and side-strain problems, and will not be considered for the upcoming test programme.

But, in a season in which New Zealand have discovered new blood in their batting line-up, Mason is set to remain in the front of the selectors' minds after taking every opportunity during the first three ODIs against the West Indies.

The Northern Districts' right-armer took two for 36 at Wellington, two for 32 at Queenstown and, though proving more expensive at Christchurch, coped well with the pressure of bowling the last over, conceding only five runs.

"I was real stoked with the way it went," said Mason. "It's carried on from the rest of the season, really. I've been feeling pretty good.

"And I think having been there before helped me out this time around. I was a bit nervous at the start of the first game, had a lot of adrenalin pumping through the veins. But I had a good day that day, and it just continued on from what's been an excellent season. So that's excellent."

Mason, who played three home ODIs against Pakistan and two against South Africa two summers ago, has been battling a back and side problem for much of the season, but was able to manage the injuries successfully enough to play most key games.

He said this week that it was simply a matter of mind over body; and that he didn't require any artificial pain relief to bowl, just a good, solid warm-up session, and plenty of loosening-up and exercising.

"It's a little bit frustrating during the lead-in to the game but once you've made up your mind that you're okay to play, you just completely forget about it, and get in there and bowl.

"You think about the game and don't worry about anything else, and then wait until the next day to deal with the resulting stiffness and soreness. You get involved with the physios and do the best you can but there's been no jabs. Just lots of stretching."

The biggest surprise in Mason's performance against the Windies was the extra bounce and pace he seemed to obtain from the pitch; an asset that - when combined with his wicket-to-wicket delivery, a stock outswinger and good change-up - made him a difficult proposition.

Mason said his action had always lent itself to getting extra bounce, and believed any perceived edge might have just come from the emotion of the moment, or the fact that for once, he wasn't required to slave into a brisk southerly.

"Nothing's changed, really," he said. "I didn't need to run into any big wind so far in the series, and that's helped. I've run into the wind all year; I've been bowling for a long time and I'm getting good rhythm now.

"I think it's just coming on because of that. The more you bowl, the stronger you get. I've always got a little more bounce than usual. I just try and give it 100 per cent every ball, and that's the way it's coming out."

For all his humility, Mason's exploits have not escaped the eye of New Zealand coach John Bracewell, who yesterday described the opening bowler's return to the international scene as "outstanding", and one of the most encouraging aspects of the home summer.

"I think the progress made by Michael over the past couple of years has been enormous," said Bracewell yesterday.

"A fit Michael Mason is a bloody good bowler, especially in our conditions. I thought his efforts, bearing in mind that he went from the ground to the physio table every day, were tremendously good. It was damned hard work for him.

"He's another guy who's adding to our stocks, and at a time when his experience is proving a real asset. Fitness permitting, he would be a test prospect but all the advice is that he would struggle to play day-in, day-out.

"He'd be lucky to get through a first-class game."

Bracewell, who played through New Zealand's halcyon era in the 1980s, agreed there were some fascinating similarities between Mason and former Wellington and New Zealand seamer Ewen Chatfield, who took 123 test wickets.

"I do [see the comparison] actually," he said. "He has zip off the wicket, and 'Chats' at his best had that. But Michael also has surprising aggression, and I loved the way he bowled that last over in Christchurch under a bit of pressure.

"He wasn't afraid to vary his length rather than just trying to bowl block-holers. That takes balls. He's a guy who's got character, and that's much needed in our attack."