Strong man Tuffey thankful for Australian preparation and advice

Lynn McConnell

December 15, 2002

New Zealand fast-medium bowler Daryl Tuffey could partially thank an Australian connection for his successful role in the first Test victory over India in Wellington yesterday.

Tuffey was one of four Northern Districts players who benefited from time in Sydney grade cricket where he played for the Sutherland club for six weeks in what would have been time poorly spent back in New Zealand.

Instead of suffering the frustration of rain delays as club cricket here tried to get established, Tuffey was getting valuable overs into his legs for New Zealand's benefit.

He played four two-day games and two one-day games and said he bowled quite a lot in the six weeks he was there.

It was just as well given his rigorous assignment of bowling into the teeth of the northerly gale that blew throughout the three days of the National Bank Test but which, right on cue, disappeared today when there the Test was all over.

He also had some valuable technical assistance from Sutherland's Australia A bowler Stuart Clark who chatted with him quite a bit during his stint and who kept him up to speed with how he was going.

"The coaches at the club were good too, I got them to keep an eye on my front arm which generally is quite loose and lazy. I wanted to keep it nice and tight," he said.

"It [the club play] was good value for me because I would have only been rain-affected back here."

The thought of having to contend with the wind in Wellington was never a problem for the strapping Tuffey.

"Someone had to do it and I thought, 'Shane Bond is not going to run into it.'

"But it was just good to have the new ball back in my hand again.

"I just wanted to get in there and prove I could get wickets into the wind.

"It was hard work but I think we did a good job into the wind, Jacob Oram and I especially," he said.

It had been harder work in the second innings yesterday because the wind was gusting much more and it was noticeable that Tuffey had to pull out of his run-up several times.

Tuffey said it had been a little daunting going into the match given the reputation of the Indian batsmen but he thought New Zealand's effort on the first day to restrict India to 161 had been brilliant. While there was some trepidation, there was also some assistance in the knowledge that India, by reputation, did not play well away from home.

"I thought it was a great wicket, and I think we exposed them with our plans. We had been very thoughtful in our planning and today we executed them very well and everything went to plan," he said.

Now it was a case of more of the same in the second Test starting in Hamilton on Thursday.

Tuffey was also delighted to continue what has almost become something of a tradition with him - taking a wicket in his first over.

"Getting [Virender] Sehwag in my first over was good. I don't know why it happens. I like to warm up well and when I come in I don't want to bowl a couple of loose balls and get hit for four.

"If you start off well, it just rolls on," he said.

Tuffey also knew just how dangerous Sehwag could be if he got off to a good start. He was playing against Sehwag in Colombo last year when the little batsman launched himself onto the international stage with a blistering century against New Zealand.

"It was a good innings to watch but, unfortunately, it came at our expense. He can change a game at the rate he scores.

"We had plans for him - on these bouncy wickets and with the sideways movement we were going to find their faults, which we did, twice," he said.

Now the formula for Hamilton is simple - more of the same please.

Tuffey will go to his home town with 37 wickets at an improving average of 29.51.

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Players/Umpires

Daryl Tuffey

Series/Tournaments

India tour of New Zealand

Teams

India

New Zealand