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Former New Zealand batting great Martin Crowe dissects the Black Caps' batting woes during the test series against South Africa. He talks to Geoff Longley.

Nathan Astle loses his wicket at the Basin Reserve, but Martin Crowe still thinks his attacking instincts should not be reined in. ``He perhaps needs more encouragement to take pride in his defensive work.''

The test series between New Zealand and South Africa was essentially a mismatch between the apprentices and the masters.

The injury-hit Black Caps, missing three key players, were out-gunned by one of the world's top teams, a side of proven performers, hardened in a superior domestic competition.

New Zealand's best modern-day batsman, Martin Crowe, says having to learn in the middle, while playing South Africa, was the undoing of the New Zealand team.

The standard of the first-class game in New Zealand is modest, and does not prepare the Black Caps for matches against South Africa and Australia in particular - regarded as the world's two super-powers. By contrast, Crowe says, those countries have depth in their domestic competitions, the Sheffield Shield and Castle Cup, and their learning curve is not so steep.

Crowe said he and the likes of John Wright, Glenn Turner, and Geoff Howarth had the finishing school of English county cricket to complete their education, but few of the current side had that chance. ``All those extra games pours that experience into you. It teaches you the ultimate lesson of building an innings ball by ball.''

New Zealand Cricket is attempting to address the depth of the game here through initiatives like Conference Cricket and the BIL-Academy.

Crowe said the latest series became a mismatch with three of New Zealand's best players sidelined, so the 1-0 loss was not unexpected.

He was, however, disappointed with the lack of application shown in the second innings, earlier this week, in Wellington. It followed a lightweight first innings in the second test, in Christchurch.

``I thought on a reasonable wicket at the Basin we could have batted four to five sessions and perhaps left them with 100 or so to get. But we seemed to want to take on their fast bowlers with the new ball and it led to our downfall.

``It is possible to be positive defensively, play strongly through the V (between mid-off and mid-on), and back yourself in that regard. We didn't have to play at some of the balls we got out to.''

To dissect New Zealand's performance, Crowe offered his thumb-nail sketch reviews of the individual Black Caps.

Crowe's comments

Matt Horne: ``Now has the best technique of the New Zealand batsmen, usually getting his back foot into line. Had a solid series, failing only once, averaging around 40, but still needs to push on to bigger scores. That will come.''

Bryan Young: ``Still probably our second best opener behind Horne, but the selectors appear to be looking for a new partner for Horne and are likely to go with Matthew Bell. Perhaps time is starting to catch up with Young.''

Roger Twose: ``Can't quite seem to get the balance right between defending and attacking. Wants to be the rock, but needs to be on more of an even keel. Still, a valuable and experienced back-up player.''

Nathan Astle: ``Had a technical problem with his back foot in Wellington, which we have talked about. It led to him hitting those catches in the cover area. Hopefully, that has now been ironed out. His attacking instincts should not be reined in, but he perhaps needs more encouragement to take pride in his defensive work, which is improving, and playing straight.''

Gary Stead: ``A gritty fighter, who plays within his capabilities, but will struggle to find a place in the middle order when the others are fit. Worth trying perhaps to convert into an opener to find a permanent place.''

Chris Harris: ``A natural one-day player for a game which suits his personality. Maturing into a handy test player. Has technical deficiencies coping with the short pitched ball, but works hard to stay at the crease. At test level, he should be considered as a batsman only.''

Adam Parore: ``No longer as technically sound as he once was. Shuffles about on the crease and has got little power in his shots. It seems just a matter of time before he gets out. Should be producing more at this stage of career, but still comfortably the best wicketkeeper.''

Dion Nash: ``The burden of captaincy probably affected his form in this series. Test cricket leadership requires a thoughtful, almost detached approach, which is hard for a bowler to achieve. Still streets behind Stephen Fleming in the leadership stakes at test level, but did a fine job in the one-dayers.''

Daniel Vettori: ``Something of an enigma. Probably hasn't had the appropriate guidance for a developing player. Should be bowling around the wicket to a 6:3 field, attacking middle-to-off stump, not just aiming for the footmarks.''

Simon Doull: ``Lost his zip halfway through the season. Needs conditions to suit and hasn't always had them. A world-class performer on his day.''

Shayne O'Connor: ``Another who needs conditions to suit. Not quick enough or accurate enough yet to trouble the best. Has a good attitude and should still be well in the frame for the England tour, with conditions more favourable there.''

Geoff Allott: ``Hard-working player who, despite a lack of test wickets, filled the stock bowler's role pretty well. Has done a good job in the one-dayers so far.''

Of those on the injured list, Crowe believed Fleming's ascension to the captaincy at 23 had hindered his development as a batsman, but he felt he would still flourish and be at his peak between 28 and 32.

He thought McMillan may have been exposed if he had played the rest of the South African series after being injured in the first test.

``He's another young guy who just has to get his test experience out in the middle and not from a bowling machine. He has loads of talent, but still has to go through that test toughening process.''

Crowe thought Cairns was coming to the peak of his game, but could be used more often as an attacking opening bowler, in tandem with Doull.

Crowe thinks there is a desperate need to have an off-spinner to balance the side and believes the selectors should stick with a player, be it Paul Wiseman, Grant Bradburn, or Campbell Furlong.

Over all, Crowe believes the future of the Black Caps is bright. Given recent one-day performances, Crowe fancies their chances at the upcoming World Cup.