Cricket: Rejuvenated Doull targets NZ recall

By RICHARD BOOCK

News of Simon Doull's decline has been a shade premature.

The former New Zealand cricketer seemed at the end of his international career this year when he turned down a fulltime contract and made himself unavailable for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, particularly after his struggle to find full fitness last season.

But the 31-year-old swing bowler said yesterday that he was on track for a strong comeback and was desperate to be considered for New Zealand's tour of South Africa, which follows the looming assignments in Singapore and Zimbabwe.

"I wasn't confident of being up to speed in time for Zimbabwe, but I'm available for everything after that," he said. "I'm still very enthusiastic, the body feels pretty good and I'd love to play against South Africa. It's one of the big challenges."

With 32 tests and a tantalising 98 wickets under his belt, the Northern Districts paceman is viewed as a world-class operator when fully fit. And he is clearly still in the selectors' thoughts, with coach David Trist and convener Sir Richard Hadlee making hopeful comments this week about his future.

Doull's career, which has been riddled with injury, seemed almost over last year when he returned home early from the tour of England with more knee problems and then had trouble making an impression during the home series against Australia.

He was dropped after taking one for 142 in two tests against the Australians and suffered the same fate in the one-day arena after playing two matches and giving up 62 runs off 12 overs.

Awarded a benefit season by Northern this year, Doull turned down an NZC contract because the "money offered was pretty ordinary," and decided to pull out of contention for Zimbabwe because he felt he could not do himself or the team justice.

However, after playing about 10 games of club hockey so far this season, he said his body was feeling strong and sound, his fitness levels were reasonable and his desire to return to international cricket had not diminished.

"The hockey's been a fairly good measure of my progress," he said. "There's a lot of lateral movement and sudden direction changes involved, and on that turf, it can put a lot of strain on the body.

"But everything feels fine at the moment, so my aim now is to play well for Northern, and hopefully force my way back into the test squad."

Doull said that while the selectors had indicated they might now consider him solely as a test prospect, he was anxious to keep all his options open and would not look to specialise in either the shorter or longer game.

"I can see where they're coming from, and getting back in the New Zealand side is my main focus. But I'll still play Shell Cup cricket for Northern and if the circumstances change, I'll be ready.

"As far as the test team's concerned, I'm keen to make a comeback, but not simply for the chance to take 100 test wickets. It would be a nice milestone, but only as a byproduct of returning to the team and bowling well - not as a reason for it."