Australia v New Zealand first Test: Why decades-long domination makes no sense
What’s the difference between Australia and New Zealand in Tests and Serena Williams verses Maria Sharapova in tennis? Not much, writes CRASH CRADDOCK.
They say anyone can have a bad decade. But three in a row?
When the Australia-New Zealand Test series starts in Wellington on Thursday the Kiwis are hoping to snap one of cricket’s most bewildering slumps.
New Zealand have won one of their last 31 Tests against Australia stretching back to November, 1993.
Australia are good but not that good. New Zealand may the Shaky Isles but they are not that shaky.
It makes no sense. The gap should never be that wide.
Don’t be surprised if this is the Test which changes the theme.
During the three decades the Kiwis have barely been able to beat an egg against Australia they have won four series against India and another four against England, fighting like the blood and guts outfit they pride themselves on being.
But against Australia, the cement in their game turns to sand.
The Kiwi team have always got along well with Australia. Maybe that’s the problem. Do they admire them too much? It’s a significant point because most lopsided records that defy traditional form patterns are motivated by dark forces.
There are few more potent motivating factors in sport than pure, deep-seated revenge.
Tennis glamour girl Maria Sharapova, who won just two of her 22 encounters against Serena Williams, felt it was her first win over Williams – in just their second ever contest at Wimbledon in 2004 – that set the scene for the carnage that followed.
Williams burst into tears in the Wimbledon locker room and Sharapova just happened to see her at her most vulnerable.
“To me, the real answer (to the domination) was there, in this locker room, where I was changing and she was bawling,’’ Sharapova later wrote.
“I think Serena hated me for being the skinny kid who beat her, against all odds, at Wimbledon.
“A friend of mine told me she said she would never lose to that little bitch again.’’
The Melbourne Storm’s 14-year match winning streak against the Broncos, which ended last year, also had potent shades of revenge for Storm coach Craig Bellamy, formerly an assistant coach with the Broncos who was once treated offhandedly during an interview to become Broncos head coach.
Long-time captain Cam Smith said there was always a palpable lift in intensity from Bellamy during the week before the Broncos and the players fed off this vibe.
But there is none of this “acorn on the seat’’ stuff with New Zealand and Australia which only makes it more intriguing.
So how do the Kiwis shake off their Australian blues?
Respected sports psychologist Dr Phil Jauncey, who had worked with a string of international cricket teams, said one of the tricks in conquering a bogey was totally ignoring its presence.
“If you start thinking you have to deal with the bogey you start playing differently,’’ Jauncey said.
“It is hard to know what New Zealand are thinking but if its ‘we have to get this thing off our back’ it won’t help them. We talk a lot in sport about an active or passive mindset.
“A passive mindset is ‘I hope I don’t make a mistake’ but an active mindset might be ‘I have to bowl straight and quick’. That is what they need. Think ‘I have to watch the ball and go hard’ not ‘I hope I don’t snick it’.’’
That advice could be poignant on a green Wellington deck where cautious prods against seam bowlers could feed hungry slips cordons.
More Coverage
How the Gilchrist family supported WNCL star through family tragedy
Ahead of the WNCL final, Lismore native and NSW star Sammy-Jo Johnson has opened up about the support she has received from Adam Gilchrist’s family after her father’s suicide in 2012.
Aussies into semis despite second washout against Afghanistan
Australia is through to the Champions Trophy semi finals despite rain forcing play to be abandoned during their chase of Afghanistan’s target of 274 at Lahore.