Cricket: Richardson beaten for pace in snail race

By RICHARD BOOCK

As if New Zealand's loss to South Africa was not bad enough, there was further ignominy a short time later when Mark Richardson was beaten in a 100m dash by South African slow-coach Neil McKenzie.

The contest to find the slowest cricketer in the world started late last year when Richardson, miffed at his "rigormortis" tag, launched a campaign to prove his sprinting power and actually beat Auckland team-mate Aaron Barnes and Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

But it has to be reported that the popular left-hander was no match for McKenzie, and appeared to be running with the aid of a Zimmer frame before sprawling face first in the turf just short of the finishing line.

The setback came as a blow for Richardson, whose lack of flexibility had previously amused millions of Indian fans during last year's second test at Chandigarh.

That was the match in which Richardson, on his way to his third test century, kept collapsing in dramatic fashion after suffering from cramp, giving the impression a dissatisfied punter was repeatedly shooting him.

The only genuine upside for New Zealand yesterday was the naming of Jacob Oram as the International Cricketer of the Year, a well-deserved award that followed the big all-rounder's best summer yet.

Oram, who scored his maiden test century against South Africa at Hamilton, was New Zealand's leading wicket-taker in the one-day series and appears primed to take over the main all-rounder's role after the retirement of Chris Cairns.

Not only did the award reflect Oram's blossoming form with bat and ball, it highlighted the decision of coach John Bracewell to push him down the batting order, apparently to accommodate Brendon McCullum in the No 6 position.

Oram, who not only scored a century but also a couple of 90s during the test summer, was subsequently made to bat with the tail, a situation that left him stranded on 34 in the first innings, and forced him to slog out for 40 in the second.

"I'd prefer to bat at No 7, to be honest," he said. "I'm not happy about batting lower and not getting the opportunity."

More worrying for New Zealand fans was the lack of wicket-taking form from left-arm spinner Vettori, who has not captured a wicket since he grabbed four in the first innings of the first test at Hamilton.

However, if supporters harboured concerns they didn't appear to be shared by the New Zealand team, who were standing by their leading slow bowler last night.