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| February 23, 2002 | Saturday | Zilhaj 10, 1422 |
England draw bumper crowd
AUCKLAND, Feb 22: The biggest crowd at a cricket match in New Zealand since the 1992 World Cup is expected at Eden Park Saturday when England meet Stephen Fleming’s side in the fourth One-day International.
England’s reversal in form — they beat New Zealand by 43 runs Wednesday in Napier to make the series 2-1 to the home side — has prompted a surge in ticket sales.
A crowd of more than 35,000 is expected at the match with a large travelling army of England fans boosting the attendance.
Victory for Fleming’s side will seal the series but if England level the rubber it will set up a mouthwatering finale in Dunedin next week.
Fleming will tell his side that they can win the one-day series in the City of Sails if they lift their performance by 20 per cent.
“Another 20 per cent the other night would have won the game for us and we were disappointed that we let opportunities slip by,” he said.
“We didn’t create much with the ball and fell a little short of where we needed to be. We had our moment but not for long enough.
“We were five overs short of being in a dominant position which is mental more than anything. We have to keep pushing on and making partnerships. We have to gauge our shots and there is an element of risk in a one-day innings, but it’s about getting the balance right.”
The pitch for the game at Eden Park is a portable surface which was last used in a Test match against Pakistan last year.
New Zealand were dismissed for 131 to lose that match, and Fleming has admitted he has no idea how the pitch will play Saturday.
“From reports we’ve had it may play low and slow but there is no history with this wicket,” he said.
“There is no gauge to how it is going to play and sometimes the characteristics and make-up of it are very different to a natural wicket, which makes it hard to call.
“We will have to think about the combination we are going to use. It’s a little bit of guess work.
“You have to look at the appearance of the wicket and I’d suggest it’s not going to be a pacy wicket. Therefore the Wellington line-up is probably more in favour.”
With that in mind, fast bowler Ian Butler looks set to lose his place to batsman Brendon McCullum as New Zealand look to strengthen their top order.
England are waiting on the fitness of Graham Thorpe, who has a slight groin strain, and Nick Knight, who had three stitches in his chin Wednesday night, but both are expected to play.
Duncan Fletcher has hinted that Jamie Foster may return to the side but England will be reluctant to change a winning side, despite Marcus Trescothick putting in a scrappy performance behind the stumps Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Fleming is hoping wicket-keeper Adam Parore will reverse his decision to take a break from the game.
Parore cited exhaustion and the need for a period of reflection as the reasons behind his decision to take a breather.
The move has cast a doubt over his place in the Test side with the selectors unlikely to gamble on a player short of match fitness, and even less likely to pick an individual who has boycotted the domestic game.
Fleming realises that Parore, who has played 75 Tests, is his best stumper and hopes he will have a change of heart before the three Test series with England begins March 13 in Christchurch.
“As a fellow professional I would like to see Adam back out there,” Fleming said. “He has been in good form with gloves, but it’s an issue for New Zealand cricket and the selectors. He has been with us for a long time and I’ll be watching with interest to see how it shapes up.”
PROBABLE TEAMS:
New Zealand: Nathan Astle, Chris Nevin, Brendon McCullum, Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan, Lou Vincent, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Andre Adams, Daneil Vettori and Daryl Tuffey.
England: Nick Knight, Marcus Trescothick, Nasser Hussain, Graham Thorpe, Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Craig White, Ashley Giles, Darren Gough and Matthew Hoggard.—AFP
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