Since New Zealand beat Australia in January, the national one-day side has played poorly in it's build up to the 2003 World Cup.

In fact since the middle of the VB Series last January, New Zealand have won only four of the last 21 One-Day Internationals they've played. Quite frankly that is woeful. Time is running out. They now face just seven more ODIs in preparation for the Cup starting on February 9.

Throughout the year the team have tried any number of experiments with different players and combinations, but the performances get worse. They find themselves with a number of critical problems:

1. An unsettled top four in the batting order.
2. No conclusion as to who the wicket-keeper will be since Adam Parore retired.
3. A permanent partner to Shane Bond with the new ball.
4. Inconsistent fielding performances.
5. Injury concerns to key players.
6. The major distraction of the players' strike leading into the summer.

The most important thing New Zealand Cricket (NZC) must do now with such little time left is to create FAMILIARITY for the players who will be selected. The only way for the players to find their form and belief to take New Zealand, at least, to the top four, is re-introducing them all to familiar roles that they've succeeded in before.

The 14-man team that I would select for the 2003 World Cup is (in batting order and subject to fitness):

1. Chris Nevin (wicket-keeper)
2. Nathan Astle
3. Stephen Fleming (captain)
4. Craig McMillan
5. Chris Cairns
6. Lou Vincent
7. Chris Harris
8. Andre Adams
9. Daniel Vettori
10. Daryl Tuffey
11. Shane Bond
    
    
12. Scott Styris
13. Jacob Oram
14. Paul Hitchcock

Non-travelling: Jeff Wilson, a batsman, a spinner and a new ball bowler.

This squad on paper is a better all-round side than the 1992 World Cup squad. It has more all-rounders, has the world's leading all-rounder/match-winner in Cairns, New Zealand's finest one-day player in Astle, the world's best left-arm spinner in Vettori, and a world-class leader in Fleming.

The problem is that they do not have enough individuals who know their role within the team and the one-day game in general.

Only Astle and Cairns have batted in the same position consistently in the last year or so. Only Bond and Vettori have bowled in the same roles consistently in that time.

Therefore the team as a whole, need to resume their familiar positions.

Batting:

The most successful opening combination over the last year has been Astle partnered by Nevin. Nevin is far more familiar at opening than any other position. Fleming has tried the opening role but along with inconsistent scores is the fact that he has not done it much and has achieved his best average at No 3. McMillan will be considered for No 3 but has had very little experience and is vulnerable to the new ball and must continue to bat at No 4 where he has improved his record recently.

Cairns and Harris have batted at Nos 5 and 7 respectively over the years with outstanding results. Lou Vincent could bat No 6 or 7 as could Harris, but Vincent is inexperienced and has been changed too often in position that he should revert to the one where he was contributing well and that was batting behind Cairns, scoring run-a-ball 30s.

His main role in the side is the energy he will provide in the field and running between wickets.

At No 8 should be Adams, if fit. He proved against England that he has the hitting power there, as well as being a specialist death bowler, to go with his athleticism. Vettori, Tuffey and Bond complete the batting line-up.

Bowling:

The only role Tuffey has consistently enjoyed is opening the bowling and, in particular, the very first over. His strike rate without runs on the board is excellent. While Bond is the better bowler, the fact that he bowls the second over is irrelevant, as long as he bowls downwind.

Tuffey, into the wind, is a line-and-length bowler who needs to be used in a pro-active manner. He rarely performs when coming on after the opening bowlers have been used. He can be used in the middle for a couple of overs but is not to be used at the death. He can be invaluable if treated carefully.

Bond, is the bowler who should bowl 10 overs, but after his opening spell of four or five, should be kept to shorter spells thereafter.

Adams is a bowler who should be used in two ways. One, to bowl NZ through to the 15 over mark with a three or four-over spell. Then to be used through the death period in two spells of two overs each.

Cairns, as the most experienced, should bowl behind Bond, four overs through to when the first 15 overs are up. Then saving six overs until the last 15 overs where his experience and magnificent slower ball become vital. He should bowl in short spells of two overs, swapping ends to rest Adams around the 43rd over mark to bowl two overs. Then swapping back to finish the innings, following Bond, for his last two overs.

He, like Bond, as the best bowlers, should look to complete 10 overs if possible.

Vettori and Harris have proven their combination after the 15 overs are up, but not before. They need the fielding restrictions lifted where they can bowl in tandem to help tie-up the start of the middle innings.

Vettori should rest after bowling five overs to allow Tuffey to come back at the 27th over for two overs in the middle. Then Vettori comes back on again for at least four overs, with Harris as back-up if needed.

New Zealand need to be conscious of fitness with Vettori, hence break in spell and shouldn't need to bowl 10 unless conditions favour spin.

In all, there should be a minimum of 13-14 bowling changes in any innings.

Fielding:

It is critical that New Zealand have their two best fielders, Harris and Vincent, on square, either side of the wicket.

That's why I wouldn't use Vincent as a 'keeper as he is too valuable and proven as a close-in fielder and doesn't have enough experience keeping at the top level anyway.

The fielding line-up looks very good with pace in the in field, strong arms in the deep from the quicks and great hands in the slips. The question mark has been over their preparation and consistency, unlike when Steve Rixon was in charge.

Reserves:

Scott Styris is an ideal back-up for Harris. He's gained experience and should be able to come in and cover if needed with his all-round ability. Oram backs up for Tuffey as a new ball bowler but can also float up the order at any time. Hitchcock is cover for Adams as a death bowler mainly. Vincent is back up for Nevin as 'keeper and also as an opening batsman.

The balance of the side requires seven batsmen and one pinch hitter (Adams) and seven bowlers (with McMillan as eighth).

Bowling Plan (Bowlers with over number):

Upwind:

Tuffey: 1st over, 3, 5, 7, 9 then 27, 29;
Adams: 11, 13, 15 then 39, 41 then 47, 49;
Vettori: 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 then 31, 33, 35, 37;
Cairns: 43, 45.

Downwind:

Bond: 2, 4, 6, 8 then 28, 30, 32 then 42, 44, 46;
Cairns: 10, 12, 14, 16 then 38, 40 then 48, 50;
Harris: 18, 20, 22, 24, 26;
Astle: 34, 36.

Bowling totals: Tuffey 7 overs, Bond 10, Cairns 10, Adams 7, Vettori 9, Harris 5, Astle 2.

Strategy:

Naturally this should be seen as a skeleton plan, whereby bowlers will bowl in longer spells if taking wickets, or shorter if proving expensive. But, by and large, the plan should reveal a specific flow and a minimum number of 13 bowling changes. If changes are needed then there are seven bowlers plus McMillan, to call upon for a change of tactics at any stage.

The key for Fleming is to keep two overs ahead of the opposition batsmen. To be able to sense when the opposition batsmen are getting used to a certain bowler and make a change. It's important to avoid the big overs as they are usually momentum shifts and requires composure and decisiveness to pull back. So every bowler should be ready to bowl especially in that area where they are due to come in, give or take an over.

All fielders need to look at Fleming at all times between balls. Fleming in return should communicate or signal to each player in some shape or form at least once every three overs.

Preparation:

All practice must simulate the match you are going to play. Batting in the right order at nets. Bowlers starting off in the correct order too. Both skills need to practice the situations they face in order of how the innings will unfold.

Fielding needs to be intensive and sharp, rather than long and laboured.

Summary:

The attitude of the team must be that bowling and fielding wins ODIs, not batting. The best defensive (bowling/fielding effort) team on the field will win the contest. So keeping the opposition's score down through efficient, tight fieldwork will ensure a higher percentage of wins.

Batting needs to be consistent rather than brilliant. The first 15 overs are about attacking the bowling to set a run rate. Minimum of four an over. No more than three wickets down at the half-way stage. Accumulation through to over 40 maintaining run rate. The final all-out launch should not be too early in the last 10 overs, better to keep wickets for the last five overs. Wickets in hand, but more importantly a partnership in the last five overs, will reap the greatest rewards. This is the time improvisation is used.

This New Zealand team can succeed if they start now to familiarise themselves with the roles they have succeeded in before. There is no time for experiments anymore in settling the key areas.

The success of this campaign will be created by proper selection of the roles required, positive and clear communication of those roles, and detailed organisation of the team in general.

© CricInfo