Test side ‘will be stronger’

Press, 4 February 1986, Page 24

Test side ‘will be stronger’

NZPA staff correspondent Launceston The New Zealand skipper, Jeremy Coney, has warned that the Australian cricket team will be much stronger in the tests later this month than in the series last year.

New Zealand beat Australia in a test series for the first time before Christmas, but the Australian bowling attack has sharpened considerably in

the one day series.

“I’m sure Australia will probably play a little bit better than they did over here,” Coney said after New Zealand lost to India.

“I only mention that because of the confidence they have, developed throughout the one day series. “Bruce Reid has made a great difference to their bowling attack. He’s a phlegmatic sort of character who doesn’t get con-

cerned, and is not interested in histrionics.

“He just gets in and bowls a good line and he has changed their bowling attack around.

“Craig McDermott has obviously improved throughout the one day series.”

He said the Australian bowling attack in particular would be more difficult to score runs from.

“Their batting is much the same. If Richard

Hadlee bowls well, he will pose problems for them outside off stump.”

The Australian captain, „ Allan Border, said in Ade- 4 laide 10 days ago, he considered the test series J far more important than b the one-day circuit >j New Zealand, despite its lack of success in the World Series Cup games, v turns out next at the Basin Reserve on February 21, more at home in the test “ arena.