Mining for run-rate diamonds

By RICHARD BOOCK

The good folk of Kimberley know a thing or two about digging holes but even they might be impressed with the efforts of the latest bunch of arrivals.

Having dispensed with the rest and recreation on the east coast, the New Zealand cricketers arrived yesterday at the scene of the biggest man-made hole in the world, although it might not have seemed much bigger than the one they had just finished digging for themselves.

It's hard to think of a bigger contrast to Durban than Kimberley, something that will no doubt delight coach Denis Aberhart and manager Jeff Crowe as they attempt to get the team back into shape for tomorrow night's pool B contest against Bangladesh.

No longer is it good enough to merely beat Bangladesh, who have been so weak during this tournament that they have already suffered humiliating defeats at the hands of South Africa and Sri Lanka, and were only saved by rain from a similar fate against the West Indies.

With Canada having also capitulated horribly on a couple of occasions, the pressure is on New Zealand to take the match by storm, a strategy they should at least be familiar with after their dress-rehearsal in Durban on Thursday night.

After yesterday's West Indies game against Canada, New Zealand's run-rate (-0.086) was inferior to that of group leaders Sri Lanka (3.17), second-placed West Indies (1.032), and third-placed South Africa (2.149).

The contests against Bangladesh and Canada, on March 3, will provide the chance for New Zealand to enhance this facet of their game, which could play a campaign-deciding role if more than two teams end up locked together on points.

New Zealand's most likely move tomorrow, toss permitting, is to insert Bangladesh at the De Beers Diamond Oval, allowing themselves the chance of bowling out the opposition in a short space of time, and then taking the minimum number of overs to eclipse the target.

There is almost no chance of rain in this parched and arid landscape, which will be a relief to all the New Zealanders apart from fast bowler Shane Bond, who could probably do with the temperatures being a little cooler.

In an atmosphere that adds a minute on to the usual time it takes to boil an egg, Bond could again be susceptible to the high temperatures, as he has found in previous games in Australia, India and at this tournament.

The New Zealand spearhead was struggling during a warm-up game in Soweto and later found himself playing in intense heat at Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and the Wanderers. His performance became increasingly ragged during that time.

Team physiotherapist Dayle Shackel constantly monitors the right-armer's body temperature - often with an ear-probe, to look for any signs of dehydration or heat-stress.

For all that, because of the extra importance now being placed on the game, New Zealand seem likely to stick with close to their strongest team, meaning Bond will probably be given another opportunity to rediscover his rhythm.

The other questions surrounding the playing XI include whether the selectors will risk Nathan Astle, who is carrying two injuries, and whether they will find room for Mathew Sinclair or Kyle Mills, neither of whom has yet played in the tournament.

* Tonight's game: Pakistan v Netherlands (Pool A), Paarl.

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