Cricket: Virtual practice to face real test

By RICHARD BOOCK

The first New Zealand cricket team to embrace cyber-training will face an extra reality check when they arrive back on planet Earth.

At present up to their elbows in virtual practice, the New Zealand players required for next month's triangular series in Singapore will now stop off in Australia for a series of pre-tournament games, possibly against Queensland.

New Zealand Cricket's general manager, Tim Murdoch, confirmed the proposed warm-up games yesterday, saying the team would benefit from some sort of match-practice before squaring off against South Africa and Pakistan in Singapore.

"In previous seasons we've played warm-up games in and around the Northern Territory," Murdoch said. "But ... this time, it's more likely we'll stop over for a few games in Townsville, or somewhere like that."

Nearing the end of a rare four-month break, the New Zealand players are assured of a minimum of two games in Singapore, but will need to hit the ground running if they want to make the final.

With this in mind, all 18 contracted players have been working through an internet-assisted training programme which provides on-line communication with NZC experts in Christchurch, and daily checks on individual routines, remedial work and fitness.

The director of NZC's High Performance Centre, Dayle Hadlee, said the squad had been given access to a secure "Black Caps" website containing the relevant individual programmes - broken down into broad categories such as technical skills, mental skills, physical skills and life-skills.

"The players have to log on every day, six days a week and complete their tasks," Hadlee said. "If they don't get around to it, or if they miss something out, the computer administrators are notified and the player in question receives a follow-up inquiry.

"What it means is that all our players can work on their game to an equal standard no matter where they are.

"Nathan Astle logs on every day from England. Other players are spread throughout the country, but they all have access."

The former test paceman said the individual programmes took into account the de-brief and self-evaluation sessions after the Australian series, and were designed to address any difficulties identified.

The players had then worked on improving their game in a practical sense (such as the nets), while remaining in daily touch with HPC staff.

"We also have [technical adviser] Ashley Ross travelling around the country and assessing each player's development and progress."

Hadlee said the unexpected break in the playing programme, caused by the late abandonment of the West Indian tour, was a blessing in disguise for many of the New Zealand cricketers, and especially those such as Matt Horne, Craig Spearman and Mathew Sinclair, who were struggling for form against Australia. "This gap has given those guys some extra breathing space.

"For a change, they've had a chance to work on their problems outside a game environment."