New Zealand depleted by loss of players
Little more than a week after naming their squad for the upcoming World Cup in Dubai in late September, the New Zealand Men’s Indoor Cricket team have been dealt a major blow by losing two key squad members to upcoming outdoor cricket season commitments, with Auckland players Finn Allen and Captain Michael Barry being made unavailable for the tournament.
New Zealand coach Paul Botterill says it’s a case of mixed emotions for him and co-coach Steve Hart. “We are disappointed to lose two valuable players in an important year, but are thrilled to see more indoor cricketers advancing their outdoor careers. Michael and Finn are two fine individuals who deserve all the success they get”.
Barry selected for Auckland
All-rounder Barry, 26, was selected by the Auckland Aces in the first round of domestic contracts announced by New Zealand Cricket’s Major Associations this past Monday. His selection comes off a return to the Auckland set-up during the 2016/17 season, playing a number of List A and T20 matches for the Aces. Auckland’s pre-season fixtures include a tour of Australia, which clashes with the timing of the World Cup and subsequently made him unavailable for the tournament.
“Michael is understandably disappointed to be missing out on the tournament, after he lead New Zealand superbly during the Trans-Tasman series against Australia last year” said Botterill. “However, we have a great working relationship with Auckland Cricket, and we understand this is a wonderful opportunity for Michael. We wish him the very best in the upcoming season and have no doubt we will be seeing him in black yet again in the future”.
Depth in experience
Such is the depth of players at the provincial level in indoor cricket in New Zealand, that a number of players are either representing their provinces or playing at the elite club level in outdoor cricket. Seamer Navin Patel, along with Jesse Ryder, were also selected by the Central Stags in the first round of domestic contracts announced. Hart was quick to praise the support received by Central Districts. “We acknowledge and appreciate the support received by Central Districts in having made Navin and Jesse available during the World Cup. This is a positive step for indoor cricket, and we believe the skills they will gain in the format during this period will act as an invaluable tool for their upcoming outdoor season”.
The vast experience of the coaching staff is also on display with former New Zealand international Andre Adams working as the bowling consultant, and former indoor international and current Canterbury Wizards Assistant Coach Brendan Donkers employed as the batting consultant.
Allen in line for Under-19 World Cup spot
The case of Allen is a bit more curious. A prodigious talent at just 18 years of age, and having represented the Aces already in a T20 last season, he played for New Zealand at the previous Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2016. Allen is a very good chance at playing for the team again, this time on home turf at the 2018 World Cup starting in January, with captaincy a possibility as well. Allen has come through both junior indoor and outdoor cricket to become a highly sort after player in both forms of the game.
He made his New Zealand Indoor debut during the Trans-Tasman series against Australia last year, and went on to captain the team to a win in their final match (of a series they narrowly lost 3-2).
Allen is currently playing cricket in the UK and was to ask for an early release to join the New Zealand Indoor squad. “It is our understanding that Finn has been asked to see out his UK contract and come home for a family holiday before training with the New Zealand Under-19’s” said Botterill. “We are disappointed to lose him in these circumstances but look forward to watching both Finn and Michael succeed in the season ahead and beyond. We have no doubt they will follow New Zealand indoor cricket players such as Chris Harris, Scott Styris, Chris Pringle, Simon Doull, Iain O’Brien and Andre Adams in becoming match-winning Black Caps”.
Indoor vs Outdoor Cricket Issues
The omissions above highlight the wider issue of indoor cricketers having to fulfil their outdoor commitments. This is not a new problem but has been highlighted by the changes to the New Zealand Cricket contract period being brought forward a month, clashing with the traditional dates for indoor cricket internationals. Botterill and Hart would like to see more “positive communication” between New Zealand Cricket and Indoor Cricket New Zealand to ensure player availability is facilitated appropriately, much in the way that the model at counterpart Cricket Australia works. Cricket Australia has already adopted indoor cricket as its fourth official format of the sport, which is run and managed by its Cricket Australia Indoor division. This has ensured the appropriate development for players across metropolitan, state and international levels.
Replacements for the two players will be named later this week, along with a new captain.
Original article posted on realsport101.com
Indoor Cricket: New Zealand Lose World Cup Players to Outdoo…