Cricket: Pacemen working to death for Cup

New Zealand bowler Kyle Mills celebrates a wicket against Pakistan. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New bowling coach Allan Donald is apparently working hard with the Black Caps' battery of pacemen on their skills 'at the death' ahead of the World Cup.

New Zealand's record in death bowling is not flash - although they made promising strides against the Pakistanis in the recent series.

From the third to the fifth ODI, the Black Caps managed progressively to plug the flood of runs from the last 10 overs - when batting sides seek to boost their runs if they have wickets in hand. The Black Caps improved from 126 for three in the last 10 overs to 86 for four; to 61 for four, in innings which consisted of 49 overs or more.

In other innings, the New Zealand batsmen did not set enough of a target so the 'death' became irrelevant. On the recent trips to India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the Black Caps won one match and lost 11 in 50-over cricket. In six of the 12 matches, they did not bowl any overs between 40 and 50.

That, and the fact New Zealand have struggled with death bowling in the past - plus factors like placid pitches and increased hitting skills fostered by the likes of the IPL and Twenty20 as a whole - mean the Black Caps still have work to do in this area. The bowlers say they understand all the theories but putting it into practice can be problematic.

Teams need to bowl a mixture of anything from yorkers to slower balls to deliveries short of length to keep batsmen guessing.

Six good length balls of medium pace are to be avoided, given batsmen can manufacture and improvise more shots into boundaries these days, especially if there is width and power play overs to spare.

New Zealand's death bowling at the World Cup is likely to centre for the most part on Tim Southee, Kyle Mills and Hamish Bennett. Donald is working with them on the art of reverse swing.

Former Black Caps fast bowler Shane Bond was highly competent at the yorker in the latter stages of an innings.

He says death bowling requires tricks because batsmen are used to hitting out in the IPL and on pitches lacking seam movement.

"All teams will struggle some of the time, especially with the quality of hitters these days. You've just got to use the conditions to your advantage. If it is a slow wicket, be prepared to vary your pace and length but avoid half volleys."

Bond says while reverse swing is talked up as a weapon - and rightly so - there is only a small window to use it.

"The dry, abrasive blocks scuff the ball up more but some teams use it better than others. You still need out-and-out quicks to exploit it best [so the ball tails in the opposite direction]. That means it is crucial how you structure your bowling changes - you will only get a few overs of reverse swing; just before the change of balls [35 overs] and possibly again at the death."

Mills, as New Zealand's most experienced pace bowler on the subcontinent, also stressed the importance of reverse swing in the final overs.

"I've been working closely with Allan Donald over the past fortnight, especially regarding reverse swing.

"He sees it as absolutely crucial at this World Cup because the conditions are going to allow that to happen.

"I have also had mixed results with death bowling of late. It's a massive challenge, especially when a batsman's set, with small boundaries - like Christchurch, with Shahid Afridi at the crease. He is explosive any time but throw in the power play and it is daunting."

Mills wants a number of the Black Caps attack to be ready to shoulder the burden bowling in the power plays and at the death. He says it's a skill the New Zealanders have to understand better. Southee and Bennett have indicated they would be keen to do the death-bowling job, given further opportunities.