Matthew Bell to lead New Zealand 'A' team to India

Matthew Bell to lead New Zealand 'A' team to India
New Zealand Cricket - 17 July 2001

Wellington opening batsman, Matthew Bell (24), will captain the New Zealand 'A' team on its tour to the Buchi Babu tournament in India next month.

The side is:

Matthew Bell (c) (State Wellington Firebirds)
Mark Richardson (State Otago Volts)
Matthew Horne (State Otago Volts)
Lou Vincent (State Auckland Aces)
Hamish Marshall (State Northern Knights)
Glen Sulzberger (State Central Stags)
Jacob Oram (State Central Stags)
Kyle Mills (State Auckland Aces)
Chris Nevin (State Wellington Firebirds)
Brooke Walker (State Auckland Aces)
Paul Wiseman (State Otago Volts)
Joseph Yovich (State Northern Knights)
Chris Drum (State Auckland Aces)
Scott Styris (State Northern Knights)

Although he has never captained a New Zealand side, Bell led the State Wellington Firebirds with distinction last summer, as the side won both the Shell Trophy and Shell Super Max League. The extra responsibility did not dent his batting form as he enjoyed an outstanding season scoring 844 runs at an average of 44.25. He broke Robert Vance's Wellington record of four centuries in a season, scoring five.

Chairman of selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee, said the panel had named a team to win the tournament with 13 of the 14 players having represented New Zealand before.

He said the tour would also provide competitive cricket in subcontinent conditions for a number of players who are in contention for the CLEAR Black Caps tour of Pakistan from mid-September.

"A number of players have had no outdoor cricket or have played lower grade cricket in England over the past few months. This tour is ideal in timing and venue conditions as a preparation for Pakistan."

He said however that need was tempered by the wish to continue developing the next tier of players, particularly pace bowlers.

"A number of bowlers might have been included - Shayne O'Connor, Chris Martin, Kerry Walmsley, Andrew Penn to name a few. The selection panel has opted to continue the development of a player like Kyle Mills, to include players returning from injury such as Scott Styris and Chris Drum, and to expose a young player in Joseph Yovich to Indian conditions," Hadlee said.

The side departs New Zealand on 11 August for India where it will take part in the Buchi Babu knock-out tournament.

The tournament is three-day cricket and is contested by teams from across India, representing major corporations. Much as rugby teams in Japan are often associated with leading companies so in India the major corporations have a passion for cricket and contract leading players to represent them in tournaments such as Buchi Babu.

Last year the New Zealand Academy (which resembled a NZ 'A' team in terms of playing strength) played in the tournament and were narrowly beaten in the semi-final. In the process of the tournament they played against several international players including the well-known batsman, V.V.S. Laxman.

New Zealand Cricket Director of Player Development, Ashley Ross, will coach the side. The manager will be New Zealand selector, Ross Dykes.

Teams

New Zealand.