Cricket: Sinclair in no mood to rest on laurels

New Zealand top-order batsman Mathew Sinclair is reminded almost every day of his exploits in last season's Boxing Day cricket test at the Basin Reserve.

But he says it will count for little this year against Zimbabwe.

Sinclair wrote himself into the record book and hearts of the country with his magnificent 214 on test debut against the West Indies last year.

However, he does not dine out on the subject. He has never watched a tape of the 534-minute innings and the only piece of memorabilia he has from it is the scoresheet pinned on his bedroom wall.

"It is nice to have it under my belt, but I look at each game for what it is," said the 25-year-old Sinclair.

"What is done is done, you must go forward. I do enjoy the Basin because of it, but also just like everyone else because it is the only specialised cricket ground in New Zealand."

Sinclair, who lives in the Hutt Valley suburb of Moera but plays for Central Districts, has emerged from his first year of test cricket with credit. Besides the double century, he scored 150 against South Africa in the second test at Port Elizabeth earlier this month.

But there have been some difficult periods as well.

In the series against Australia last summer he scored just 61 runs in six innings.

He was dismissed leg before wicket to spinners Shane Warne and Colin Miller on four of those occasions.

His lack of footwork was also exposed in South Africa, but he still completed the opening year of his test career (nine tests) with 621 runs for an average of 44.35.

"There have been some highs and some lows - it has been a bit of a see-saw ride," he said. "But the way I see it, I'm still learning my trade."

Sinclair said he was guilty of being too tentative in the first test in Bloemfontein and his 150 at Port Elizabeth had a lot to do with "me being me, batting positive."

He wants to carry that attitude into the one-off test against Zimbabwe next week.

That can be difficult against any Zimbabwean attack, which seemingly relies on frustrating batsman out by bowling defensive lines. Allrounder and captain Heath Streak is the exception and Sinclair rated him in the Shaun Pollock mould for his ability to jag the ball around at pace.

"Yeah, you do have to be patient at times, but I'm looking forward to it. It seems they are going to be more positive, especially as it's a one-off."

The Zimbabweans have talked of this match as an opportunity to achieve their first test victory over New Zealand.

Despite a busy schedule, Sinclair has signed to play for Yorkshire league club Cleethorpes in the off-season. It will be his first taste of English cricket.

- NZPA