Date-stamped : 15 Oct97 - 06:23
October 15, 1997 

Rixon has score to settle with Australia

by Geoff Longley

Nothing would be sweeter for Sydneysider Steve Rixon than to coach the 
New Zealand cricket team to success on its Australian tour which starts 
next week. 

Rixon said yesterday he expected New Zealand to win a test in the 
forthcoming series at Brisbane, Perth and Hobart. 

Rixon, a successful state coach with New South Wales, had aspirations to
the Australian job when long-time coach Bobby Simpson was replaced, but 
the position went to Geoff Marsh without interviews. 

"Nothing would give me greater pleasure than a series win and reaching 
the one-day finals," Rixon said at the team naming yesterday. 

For that dream to become reality Rixon and captain Stephen Fleming know 
the side has to produce greater consistency of performance than it 
displayed in Zimbabwe recently. 

"I think we showed that we learned how to fight over there. But we need 
to learn to start well, apply pressure and finish things off," Fleming 
said. 

Rixon said Australia, despite its test-match hardened line-up, was 
capable of capitulating quite badly when sustained pressure was applied.

New Zealand touts a more experienced new-ball attack with the return of 
Simon Doull and Geoff Allott after injury. 

Rixon said with Doull's swing bowling; Heath Davis able to bounce it; 
Chris Cairns providing variation and left-armers Allott and Shayne 
O'Connor slanting the ball, the pace bowling attack was well balanced. 

He expected most of the wickets during the test series would suit the 
quicker bowlers. 

Slow bowling is supplied by Daniel Vettori, with support from Chris 
Harris. Although keen to develop off-spinner Paul Wiseman, selection 
panel convener Ross Dykes said he had yet to show he had made the step 
up. 

"Two specialist spinners is our ideal, but that has to be balanced by 
providing the best bowling armoury." 

Fleming feels Australia may underestimate New Zealand as it prepares to 
host South Africa in the second part of the season. 

"I'd like to think it's time for the senior players to stand up and be 
counted," he said. 

Rixon said he was getting tired of saying the side needed to play to its
potential. 

The Australian news media already has formed its opinion of New Zealand.

"A New Zealand team which looks dreadful on paper and plays even worse,"
was the line from Brisbane's "Courier Mail" newspaper last week. 

A belief by the Australians that the New Zealanders are "soft" mentally 
should provide ample ammunition for Rixon and Fleming to motivate their 
men on what Fleming says is the ultimate tour. 

NZ teamStephen Fleming (captain), Geoff Allott, Nathan Astle, Chris 
Cairns, Chris Harris, Craig McMillan (Canterbury); Simon Doull, Daniel 
Vettori, Bryan Young (Northern Districts); Matt Horne, Shayne O'Connor 
(Otago); Adam Parore, Blair Pocock (Auckland); Heath Davis (Wellington).

Source :: The Canterbury Press (http://www.press.co.nz/)

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