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Toss could again be vital in yet another one-dayer
Lynn McConnell - 19 February 2001

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming would like to win a toss to at least have the chance to inflict his will on the opposition.

Going into tomorrow's second National Bank series One-Day International against Pakistan in Napier, Fleming can't remember with any accuracy when he last won a toss.

He recalls there was one in the recent series against Sri Lanka but not which one.

The juicy environment in Auckland on Sunday did not help New Zealand's cause in trying to take runs off a Pakistani attack well capable of using the helpful conditions to their advantage. Given the same chance with his own attack, Fleming is confident they could do the job for him and put the visitors under pressure.

With overcast skies in Napier today, and muggy conditions, there is every prospect the McLean Park pitch will have similar spite to the Auckland one, and that will once again make the toss a crucial factor in the game.

"We got what we expected from Pakistan in Auckland," Fleming said.

But what disappointed him was that New Zealand wasn't able to identify the crucial stages in their innings and to push on and take advantage of them.

He also wants to see a good wicket.

"On good surfaces our batsmanship is not too bad and good surfaces are what we want," he said.

And in a bid to counter the Pakistani pace men he is looking for the New Zealand batsmen to get their body positioning right.

That was the emphasis in today's long practice session with a bowling machine out in the middle of Napier's Nelson Park.

"It's not too difficult countering their pace, we just have to find the technique to do that. For some of the young guys who have't seen that before it is a case of time and experience. If they can stay out there long enough they will realise that," he said.

Pakistan will probably the find the pitch in Napier slower again. The day-night game will be played on a pitch block that has not been as fast as the usual sun-baked block in Napier.

But the emphasis again will be on putting New Zealand's batsmen through the mill while also trying to get more batsmen getting good scores together at a good rate.

The prospect of watching the genuine pace merchants in action should be a good drawcard for a town that has already had its share of cricket action this summer.

© CricInfo


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