November 25, 2003	Tuesday	Ramazan 29, 1424

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AUCKLAND, Nov 24: New Zealand Chairman of selectors Sir Richard Hadlee has said main objectives of Pakistan tour this week are to “fulfil our obligations to Pakistan cricket and make the tour happen, win a match (perhaps a couple of games), be competitive and create an opportunity for all players to play some cricket”.

In an interview, Hadlee, one of cricket’s all-time greats, said the selectors would like to see all players have at least a couple of games with top order batsmen likely to play in all five matches.

“Some of the bowlers may have to be rested and rotated with five matches in eight days - it is a short but tough tour”, he observed.

The new players will have a point to prove - their opportunity to represent NZ at this level in one-day cricket will have come earlier than expected. These players will find out a lot about themselves, the opposition and what touring is like in Asian-type conditions, he added.

With all of NZ watching the matches on television that may lift them and hopefully “we may produce a couple of young heroes. If they can solve some of our concerns with top order batting and bowling `at the death’ then the tour will have been successful”, Hadlee stated.

“Everyone is aware and realistic enough to know that is difficult for teams like NZ to win in sub-continent conditions. This will be a great test for the team mentally, physically and technically”.

Asked as a player who took immense amount of pride in representing NZ, what are his thoughts about members of current squad who opted out of Pakistan tour?

“Each player was given option by NZC to tour Pakistan without recriminations. We must respect players’ decisions. People must understand that if a player is not comfortable in a certain environment, he is unlikely to perform to his best. Players need to be focused and if there are security issues where a player does not feel safe, he is better staying at home.

“In the past, NZ teams have seen at first-hand great tragedies that will have a lasting impression on their lives. The tour of Sri Lanka in 1987 was aborted after the first Test due to a bomb blast that killed hundreds. In 1992, several players including coach returned home after a bomb blast but the tour continued with replacement players.

“The bomb blast in Karachi last year was a telling blow for many players who were so close to the carnage - some of their hotel room windows were shattered. They cannot be blamed for wanting to stay at home”, said Hadlee.

Will their decision have any impact on future prospects of playing for national team?, he said players will not be penalised for not going - “I assume financially etc. However, players who have relinquished their positions in the team to those who want to go could create potential problems for selectors in future”.

The Kiwis chief selector said if several of new players perform, they will need to be considered for future matches. Surely that is fair and reasonable. No one is guaranteed automatic selection.

“There may now be a lot more competition for places which will create more depth and choices in our game through an opportunity and exposure to international cricket. For every negative, there may well be a positive”, he noted.—PPI