Cricket: R and R ahead of the World Cup

Even captain Brendon McCullum will have to take a break during New Zealand's 44 days of cricket before the cup. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand’s cricketers face a punishing schedule and will be managed carefully to avoid fatigue

When Graham Henry delivered rest and rotation to the All Blacks the flak flew thick and fast ahead of the 2007 World Cup.

The eventual outcome, elimination at the earliest stage in any cup campaign, meant vilification for man and method.

New Zealand cricket coach Mike Hesson reckons the whole R and R issue is over-talked. He has a World Cup to prepare for next February and said there's no question every top player will get a break in a busy leadup programme between mid-next month until the tournament begins on February 14.

"You look at each player individually. You identify periods where people need to rest when you've got a 10 or 11-month block. You want players to perform and need to be able to manage those people," he said yesterday.

In his mind, it's as simple as that. There is an end game and all decisions are made with that in mind.

Hesson gave the example of the tour to the United Arab Emirates in November-December to face Pakistan.

There are three tests in 21 days in extreme heat, followed by five ODIs.

Several test players may head home early to prepare for the arrival of Sri Lanka just before Christmas. Bowlers like Tim Southee and Trent Boult - who are in India for the start of Northern Districts' Champions League qualifying tournament tonight - are excamples of players who may skip the Pakistan ODIs to try to regain freshness after the tests in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

"Clearly people are going to struggle to sustain performance through all three tests, and if they do they're going to need a decent break afterwards. That's just the nature of the beast," Hesson said.

He's adamant on one other point: "We won't compromise the integrity of test cricket. That's really important for us."

Hesson doesn't expect any grumbles from players told to take a break. Human nature is that sportsmen and women generally want to be playing at every opportunity.

"It was great to think in a previous life, when we played half as much cricket as they do now, you could do that.

"But players now are also aware of the bigger picture and more importantly they want to sustain a level of performance too, and not end up being fatigued."

Hesson confirmed he and general manager of selection Bruce Edgar have a blueprint for when each leading player might get time off before the World Cup. But it's pencilled, rather than inked, in for now.

"We know things can change, whether it be injury, a family issue or whatever. You can't lock things in stone but we've got an idea where we think we can identify breaks."

No player will play all 42 days of international cricket from now until the start of the World Cup, and that includes captain Brendon McCullum.

Hesson confirmed Kane Williamson will be vice-captain this summer, meaning his education as leader is likely to advance in the next four months.

A large New Zealand squad will set up camp in Melbourne early next month before reassembling for two games against Scotland at Lincoln on October 15 and Ireland, in Hamilton on October 18, ahead of the first of three ODIs against South Africa, in Mt Maunganui on October 21.

Tough call
• New Zealand will play 17 ODIs, five tests and two T20 internationals between October 21 and the start of the World Cup on February 14.
• No player, no matter how fit and in-form, will play every game in that period.
• The national squad assemble on October 6 for a camp in Melbourne, then gather for two 50-over games, in the guise of a New Zealand XI, against Ireland and Scotland before meeting South Africa in Mt Maunganui on October 21.