Phil Cooper talks cricket

CRICKET: Coach John Bracewell seems to have attracted comments regarding the performance of New Zealand in the two five day matches in Australia.
This is on the back of a heavy defeat at the hands of England last UK summer. Australia is still well in the lead in the international rankings and hopefully it is not wishful thinking on my part that England is getting closer.
In Harmison and Vaughan England has two real world class performers. It should therefore be remembered what the strength of the opposition is and that both mini series were played on foreign soil.
Again New Zealand was also easy winners in the one day series in England and the ranking of the New Zealand team is right up there in the one day format.
You are what you eat. If the domestic diet leans towards one day cricket, that is the type of cricketer produced. This is the strength of both the coach and the team.
One selection decision I found puzzling is why in the five day format Ian Butler was not used. He has pace and is aggressive, with a good follow through and I feel that he is more suitable to five day tests.
The use of the slower ball is of interest although at times apart from Cairns this needs more refinement as it produced a number of wides.
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It was good to see a solid performance from the Wanganui representative side which promised much until rain intervened against Manawatu.
Matt Beavan is certainly an interesting character,having played in places like Marlborough previously. It was unfortunate that his air force duties interrupted his performances last season.
As a helicopter navigator he was called out on spotting duties looking for lost trampers in the Nelson and then on flood relief in February.
He has good leadership qualities for captain, is psychologically tough and scores highly in the fitness rankings for the air force.
When talking to him last season his comments on field placings were astute. He is a team man and appreciated that at times people have to make allowances in the batting and bowling orders in the best interests of the team. +++++
The Milo Cup is for intermediate aged school cricketers. In addition to Wanganui Intermediate, Rutherford, St George's, St Marcellin and Hunterville from last season.
In addition there is new representation from the Rangitikei region this season.
This includes Huntley, James Cook, South Makirikiri, Marton Primary, Marton Junction, Taihape and hopefully Raetihi. There is also promising signs of junior cricket getting re-established in Taihape and I am beginning to get parental support.
Holiday coaching will go ahead at the Taihape Primary school on December 10-21 starting at 10 am. There will also be a session on January 24-25.