All about balance

Cricket is supposed to be all about balance, an asset that is required in all skill areas of the game. But for New Zealand collectively in 2004, the balance, or imbalance, lurched from the Test-match side of the game to the one-day area. While that has mitigated the disappointments associated with the one-day game, it is fair to say that the decline in Test fortunes has been of even greater concern.

What the reversal does show is that the majority of players among New Zealand's 20 contracted players are capable of doing well in both forms of the game. However, the mindset that allows them to perform to a high level in both disciplines had yet to be acquired.

So dramatic was the decline that what should have been a game to be remembered for being among New Zealand's best Test victories - the superb match against South Africa at Eden Park - was lost in the mire of disappointments associated with the losses in England and Australia.

The similarity in defeat - competitive for the first three days before appearing deflated - assuredly has some potential for case study by sporting psychologists, but New Zealand fans would settle for greater shows of determination by players to immediately halt the rot. That process won't be helped by the biggest blow to the side in the year - the unexpected retirement of Mark Richardson, whose cricket engine conked out. The problem lay in the fact that he retired two or three years earlier than the team management and selectors had hoped for, as they sought to ease a replacement into Richardson's role. Instead, there is the likelihood that the coltish Michael Papps will be expected to grow into the role quickly while another stopgap measure is employed in the search for a long-term opening combination.

The return of Daniel Vettori to his best bowling form, and the emergence of Jacob Oram - especially in the absence of Chris Cairns from the Test stage - have been especially welcome, while the rapid growth undergone by Brendon McCullum, the wicketkeeper, has given the next generation of New Zealand internationals a solid core to work around. But there's still no sign of a return from Shane Bond, and in his absence the search continues for a genuine fast bowler. So far Ian Butler has hardly been given a good deal, but chances are extensive use will be made of him sooner rather than later. Stephen Fleming continues to go from strength to strength, and ended the year as the highest runscorer in the New Zealand game. He's already the best catcher, the most successful captain. Now if only he could bowl.

Cricket's profile in New Zealand remains high, in spite of the increasing incursions of rugby into summertime. And while success in ODIs tends to keep the less committed punters happy, the more traditional supporters are looking for a resolution to the Test indifference that has taken root.

Jacob Oram Firmly established in the Test side, he responded with 690 runs, and two centuries, to end the year with an average of 57.50. The second of those centuries, scored in trying circumstances against Australia at Brisbane, highlighted the quality of player that Oram has become.

Daniel Vettori finally got into his groove. A feeling had persisted that Vettori's lack of wicket-taking had much to do with the pace of the modern cricket calender. This year his 38 wickets at 32.31 demonstrate that he is well and truly back.

New Zealand in 2004
	MATCHES	WON	LOST	DRAWN-NR
TESTS	10	3	6	1
ODI	25	19	4	2