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Test match wasn't a place to try out pitch Lynn McConnell - 12 March 2001
Putting in the portable pitch block at Eden Park before a Test match was "pretty risky" according to beaten New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming. While he could only lament a 299-run thrashing by Pakistan in the first Test of the National Bank series, Fleming still believed that if chances had been taken in the first innings of the Test then the outcome could have been significantly different. Fleming said the best chance for New Zealand to win was to make use of the conditions that are available on the first day of Test matches. New Zealand failed to do that and were comprehensively beaten in conditions that suited Pakistan. Fleming wasn't happy that his players were guinea pigs for the portable pitch technology. "While it is a step in the right direction, it is not good to try it in a Test match first," he said. Pakistan captain Moin Khan was "really pleased" with the outcome. "It was a tremendous performance from our bowlers. "We were a bit worried as New Zealand played really well yesterday. We were trying too hard to get wickets. "We knew the pitch was going to turn a lot," he said. Despite that they did not expect New Zealand to fall over so quickly. The side knew that despite the loss of the One-Day series and the game against New Zealand A that they could go out and beat New Zealand. "We just told our younger guys to go out and play positively," he said. "Somebody had to take the place of our experienced players and I was really pleased to see the performance of our young players today. "I had seen all our young players at camp before the tour and I knew they were keen to play out here and I was confident when they came in," he said. Moin admitted to being surprised, and happy, to see the pitch that was provided for the Test. New Zealand selection convener Sir Richard Hadlee said, "Batsmen scored hundreds, pace bowlers got wickets and spinners got wickets. "You would have to say it was a good wicket." Hadlee said the loss was "clearly disappointing". "Hell, they had four bowlers. You only needed one to break down, another to get a bit of tap and the others to get tired," he said, disappointed that New Zealand hadn't even offered defence against the rampant Pakistan bowlers.
© CricInfo
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