Date-stamped : 14 Jul94 - 18:26
"Steps taken" to address NZ problems

CHRISTCHURCH  (NZPA)   --   New  Zealand   cricket    is  already
addressing  several  of  the  problems  which arose from its just
concluded tour of England, according  to  its  cricket  director,
Roddy Fulton.

He was replying, in part, to criticisms of the organisation  last
week by a former New Zealand captain and coach, Glenn Turner.

Turner questioned the team selection,  on-going  injury  problems
and  the  accountability  of  the selectors while also suggesting
they should be paid for their efforts.

Mr Fulton said steps were being taken to ensure the player injury
problems  of  the  past  tour  were minimised in the future.  The
players from the team will assemble in Christchurch  on  July  28
for an "injury detection and prevention clinic".

A panel comprising  physiotherapist  Graham  Nuttridge,  physical
fitness  expert  Paul  Carpinter  and  Dr Richard Edmond, who has
travelled overseas with New Zealand teams, will  assess   present
injuries and fitness levels.

"After talking to each player specific individual programmes will
be organised with regard to fitness, future injury prevention and
rehabilitation," said Mr Fulton.   He  said on-going   assistance
would  be  provided  to  each  player through the panel, regional
specialists, regional coaching directors,  team   physiotherapist
Mark  Plummer  and  national coach Geoff Howarth.  Weekly reports
would be provided to NZC.

Mr Fulton said he hoped to gain approval by the end of this month
for  two  player camps in Christchurch in August and September to
concentrate on  skill  development  and overcoming   deficiencies
exposed in England.

Following these clinics a national B selection  side  travels  to
Darwin  to  play  a  two-week  series  of  matches  against South
Australia, Victoria and the Australian Academy.  This tour   will
assist in the final selection of the team for the India and South
African tours, starting October 24.

Mr Fulton, a former Canterbury selector, believes the  increasing
demands   on  selectors'  time,  along  with  public, player  and
association  requirements,  will   necessitate some    form    of
reimbursement in future.

"The coming season will put more pressure on selectors than  ever
before  because  of  the  intensity  of  tours to India and South
Africa followed by West Indies to New Zealand and  the  centenary
series  with  South  Africa,  Australia and India in New Zealand.
That's not forgetting the selection of the B team to  Darwin  and
various Academy XI's against touring teams later in the season."

Mr Fulton said to be truly competitive and consistent New Zealand
must  make  the  best  use  of resources, adopt clear strategies,
create greater player depth and use  sports science,   technology
and expertise where possible.

He  noted  the  emergence  of  five  young  players   capable  of
performing  well  at test level - Adam Parore, Dion Nash, Stephen
Fleming, Matthew Hart and Shane Thomson -  as  a  major  positive
factor to emerge from the tour.

"Another feature was the contribution  of  Martin  Crowe  to  the
development  of other members of the side along with his personal
form."

Mr Fulton felt  New  Zealand  cricket  was  on  the  right  track
following a difficult period.

(Thanks : NZPA)
<END> Contributed by Romario (Romario@gandalf.otago.ac.nz)