Players told to strictly avoid talking on match-fixing issues

AUCKLAND: Pakistan cricket team arrived on the tour of New Zealand vowing not to talk of the match-fixing and spot-fixing allegations. The subject was clearly a frosty one for manager Intikhab Alam, coach Waqar Younis and captain Shahid Afridi as they looked to play down recent events and allegations swirling around some of their players.

Alam says the players have been spoken to and they are well aware of their responsibilities, adding that they only wanted to look ahead and it was important for them to focus solely on playing cricket. Queries regarding the allegations, according to Alam, will not be responded to.

UDRS snubbed for series

The Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) will not be used on the tour, it was announced.

A lack of commitment from the International Cricket Council (ICC) has put the future of UDRS in doubt. Originally designed for broadcasting, graphics provided by New Zealand Company Animation Research are now an important piece of system that often decides the fate of batsmen.

Wright appointed New Zealand coach

New Zealand installed former Test captain John Wright as Black Caps head coach, handing him the formidable task of lifting the team’s woeful form ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Outgoing coach Mark Greatbatch paid the price for the Black Caps’ run of 11 successive One-Day International (ODI) defeats, with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) hoping Wright can emulate his success in charge of India from 2000-2005.

New Zealand also appointed a three-man independent selection panel, relieving captain Daniel Vettori of selection duties amid fears his dual roles within the team had become too much of a burden.   NZC Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said the changes followed a comprehensive review after the Black Caps returned from India this month, where they were thrashed 5-0 by the host nation in the ODI series.

That followed a 4-0 ODI drubbing in Bangladesh, the supposed minnows’ first clean-sweep against a major team, which New Zealand media described as a new low for cricket in the country.

Vaughan said the changes “should make a real difference” but Wright will have less than two months to turn around the national side’s fortunes before the World Cup  that starts next year on February 19.

Wright, 56, a former opening batsman for New Zealand, is credited with laying the foundations for India’s current success during his time with the subcontinental powerhouse.

Vaughan said Wright would begin his new role immediately, preparing for a home series against Pakistan which begins with a Twenty20 match in Auckland on December 26.

Vaughan said Greatbatch would remain as the batting coach and the selection panel head, which also includes former Test players Lance Cairns and Glenn Turner.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2010.