Date-stamped : 25 Jun97 - 06:18 9 May 1997 Rixon Wants Curb On Rash Shots CHANDIGARH, INDIA -- New Zealand cricket coach Steve Rixon has likened some of his batsmen to indisciplined drug addicts ahead of tonight's Independence Cup one-day match against Pakistan. Rixon made the colourful comparison while highlighting the major concern he has for his side in entering the game, which is to be played under lights at Mohali's PCA Stadium on the outskirts of Chandigarh. He identified opener Nathan Astle, skipper Stephen Fleming and Chris Cairns as the main culprits last summer when throughout a one-day programme of 15 matches New Zealand regularly committed cricket's version of hari-kari while at the crease. "It's like a druggie looking for a fix. They just have to hit a four an over," he said. Fleming would probably not appreciate the association with drugs, having been suspended for three matches in 1995 after admitting he smoked marijuana during the tour of South Africa. However, he is the last to absolve himself of the blame for his team's repeat offending in poor shot selection and execution. Fleming said plenty of responsibility rested on his batsmen to capitalise on an under-strength Pakistani bowling attack missing the world-class trio of Wasim Akrim, Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed, who have been excused from the tournament to take up commitments with various English country teams. Rixon believes the absence of the talented trio has robbed Pakistan of their "heart and soul", but it remains to be seen whether New Zealand can curb the impetuous streak amongst its batsmen, which was primarily responsible for it winning just five limited-overs games last summer. "If we are to get on top of them it has got to come from our batting, and that part of our game was not that great last summer," Fleming said. "Myself, Nathan, and Chris have all been guilty of getting out at the wrong times. Unfortunately it happened too frequently last summer for it to be a coincidence. "It is an area of concern and we are addressing it," Fleming said. The tour selectors -- Rixon, Fleming and senior bowler Gavin Larsen -- are not due to name the side until the early hours of this morning, but there should not be any surprises. The Kiwis last played a one-day international five weeks ago against Sri Lanka, when they convincingly beat the World Cup holder in Wellington. Veteran off-spinner Dipak Patel missed that encounter because of a calf muscle strain, but he is now moving as freely as his 38-year-old body allows and will come into the side. Pakistan enters the match with a decided psychological edge over the Kiwis. Rixon adopts another perspective. "What I see is that our last one-day performance against Sri Lanka and our last outing against Pakistan both produced quite comprehensive victories. "I also see that they have lost the guts of their bowling, and because of that I don't fear Pakistan as much as India." New Zealand (likely): Stephen Fleming (captain), Bryan Young Nathan Astle, Matt Horne, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Dipak Patel, Gavin Larsen, Andrew Penn, Heath Davis. Pakistan (from): Rameez Raja (captain), Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ijaz Ahmed, Hassan Raza, Mohammad Wasim, Salim Malik, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Moin Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mohammed Hussain, Aaqib Javed. -- NZPA Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com).