Cricket: Four players to watch this summer

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Central Districts - Jacob Oram


Mark Greatbatch is full of admiration for his captain and leading allrounder Jacob Oram - a view reinforced by his innings in Central Districts' match against Otago.

"I think he has hit the ground running," said Greatbatch. "As a batsman he is showing real quality. His innings for 96 in five hours showed he has what it takes.

"He is working to a game plan which is one of much lower risk than might have been the case in the past. It was good he was rewarded so early in the season.

"As a bowler he appears to be a yard quicker which is always an asset. While he has always been seen as a good one-day cricketer, I think he will develop into a very good player in the longer game."

Oram, 24, went into the State Championship season with 1217 first-class runs at an average of 29.68 and had taken 40 wickets at 23.47.

Wellington - Matthew Bell


Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson has no doubts Matthew Bell can, for the third time, make it back to the top.

The 25-year-old opening batsman who played the first of his 13 tests five seasons ago but was soon discarded fought back for a second time only to be overlooked again.

"He is so passionate about the game, I have no reason not to believe he can get back there [to test cricket]," said Johnson as Bell prepares to lead Wellington into today's game against Central Districts at the Basin Reserve.

"He is unbelievably keen to play at that level. As a bonus, his captaincy shows a level of maturity. Who knows, four or five years down the track he might be there to take over from Stephen Fleming.

"He has come back from an off-season in England where he has done well. We are thrilled to have him lead our side."

Already a veteran of 91 first-class matches, Bell has scored over 5000 runs with a highest score of 219 included in his 10 centuries.

Canterbury - Michael Papps


Canterbury coach Michael Sharpe sees this as a make-or-break season for 23-year-old Michael Papps.

"He was unlucky to be injured in the third one-day game last season," said Sharpe. "We would have, I'm sure, seen more of his brilliance if he had not been injured."

It was while playing as a wicketkeeper that Papps dived and hurt his shoulder. While wicketkeeping is still an option - especially in a team which has not contracted a keeper for the season - Sharpe shies away from saying he will take the gloves.

"It is still an option but it is more important he scores runs."

Papps will probably bat at No 3 for most of the season, although he will open with Gary Stead against Otago to allow Craig McMillan to bat at three ahead of Nathan Astle, Chris Harris and Chris Cairns.

From 29 matches, Papps has scored 1658 runs at 34.54, with a highest score of 158 not out.

Otago - Jeff Wilson


Jeff Wilson is something of an enigma for Otago coach Glenn Turner.

While expectations are huge especially among those who see the former All Black great as a candidate for a recall to the New Zealand limited-over side, Turner says there is work to do.

"From a playing point of view, he is behind the eight-ball," said Turner. "He is still struggling to get over an injury [side strain] and when he returns, likely to be in the next round, he will have to get back up to speed.

"He was very enthusiastic before his injury and, probably wisely, pulled back from the issues at the time of the players' dispute.

"He and we are determined he does not rush back. At full strength he is likely to be as competitive as he ever was."

Before ending his self-imposed exile from first-class cricket after the 1996/97 season, Wilson, from 26 matches, had scored 980 runs and taken 93 wickets.