From the sublime to the ordinary, that's Pakistan

Chris Cairns

February 25, 2001

With the series against Pakistan locked at 2-2 the last week has seen what Pakistan teams provide and that's unpredictability.

You never know what you're going to get as they can be sublime one day and ordinary the next.

What hasn't been ordinary is the Black Caps form reversal.

I had earlier hoped that Steve Fleming would continue captaining.

There has been some restructuring of the Black Caps management which has seen Flem take a more dominant role within the group.

It seems to sit with him well and I think the entire squad is now, and will in time, respond to a stronger leadership role that Fleming is providing.

I am convinced also that this will enhance Flem's own form and I have a feeling that Dunedin may see something special from him because he will desperately want this series against a very good side.

I wish him and the Black Caps all the very best.

Craig McMillan's innings was something else.

An innings of pure power hitting, but earlier he had laid the foundation to enable himself to obtain this wonderful achievement.

He worked the ball around, got himself in then did what he does best and that's dominate.

In the past I think Macca has confused himself about the structure of a one-day innings, but this one today will help him understand his game, to work the ball initially, then blossom later in his innings.

Recently, a few weeks back, I read an article about Macca written by "the world according to Ron Palenski" in the Dominion.

The personal attack on Macca was as comparable to what some journos had written recently about Eminem.

Only Macca hadn't bad mouthed women or discriminated against gays, he had "over celebrated a wicket."

For goodness sake Ron, you're wasting column inches.

Young people grow up and along the way the only way to grow up is to experience many things, some good and some bad.

Macca's on field performances should be judged on his runs and wickets success, not whether he does an extra arm circle at the fall of a wicket or crikey me, if he grows a beard!

If we didn't have people pushing the boundaries to discover who they are, how would we ever discover anything?

Congrats also to Lou Vincent who has given the team much needed enthusiasm in the field.

Australia have Ponting, South Africa have Rhodes and although only early in his career Lou has the ability to match those guys.

Also Daryl Tuffey has shown he's shrugged off the nervousness that plagued him early in his career.

You can see he feels part of the team and feels he can perform at this level.

Dunedin will be a great challenge.

© Cricinfo

	Email

Watch our daily Cricinfo SportsCenter news round-ups Available on Cricinfo.tv     Live scores, results, news, features and more - a click away Download the Cricinfo Toolbar     Live scores, news & ball-by-ball commentary on your phone Cricinfo Mobile

Series/Tournaments

Pakistan tour of New Zealand

Teams

New Zealand

Pakistan