Cricket: Evergreen Hockley to set cup record

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Debbie Hockley will add another mark to her already outstanding achievements in women's cricket when she steps on to the field at Lincoln University for the opening match of the 2000 World Cup today.

Already the greatest run-scorer in the tournament's 17-year history, 1351 at an average of 48.25, Hockley will play her 37th cup match - a record - in the CricInfo World Cup clash with Australia.

She held the previous record with the now retired Janette Britten, of England.

Thirty-eight-year-old Hockley, a veteran of the 1982, 1988, 1993 and 1997 cups, remains a key player in the White Ferns, despite handing the captaincy reins to Emily Drumm.

She sees victory as attainable, a real chance to add the final chapter to an already illustrious career.

Not surprisingly, the selectors have gone for their strongest team for the tournament opener.

Only Anna O'Leary, wicketkeeper Rebecca Rolls, Haidee Tiffin and Helen Watson have not played in earlier cup tournaments.

"The game is a big one for us," Drumm said.

"It is not so much whether we win or lose, but how we play. It is a long tournament - the final is not played until December 23 - so the result of this match might not mean a lot.

"Our only objective at this stage is trying to ensure we don't play Australia again, except maybe in the final."

The top four teams at the end of the round-robin play - all eight teams play each other - go into the semifinal, with first playing fourth and second playing third.

While Belinda Clark, Australia's 30-year-old opening bat, is the obvious danger to all bowling attacks, Drumm said their transtasman rivals were not a one-person team.

"Sure, while we have to acknowledge Clark and Karen Rolton as outstanding cricketers, their two opening bowlers, Charmaine Mason and Cathryn Fitzpatrick, are also real dangers. No game against Australia is easy, but I prefer we look at what we are going to do than worry too much about them."

The talk is all of a New Zealand v Australia final.

The only other teams rated as likely semifinalists are England, South Africa and India.

Drumm sees the Indians as the likely surprise team.

"We don't know much about them," she said. "I'm sure we will take the chance to have a look at them before we play them on Saturday week."

India play South Africa at Hagley Oval tomorrow in what could be a close game, while at the BIL Oval at Lincoln, England meet the Netherlands.

New Zealand team to play Australia: Emily Drumm (capt, Auckland), Catherine Campbell (Canterbury), Debbie Hockley (Canterbury), Katrina Keenan (Canterbury), Clare Nicholson (Auckland), Anna O'Leary (Wellington), Rachel Pullar (Otago), Kathryn Ramel (Auckland), Rebecca Rolls (Auckland), Haidee Tiffin (Canterbury), Helen Watson (Canterbury), Paula Flannery (Canterbury) 12th man.