da bet nacional： Inexperienced Australian spinner Brad Hogg faces his sternest World Cuptest when New Zealand’s big-hitters target him in the Super Six grudgematch at St George’s Park.
AAP10-Mar-2003Inexperienced Australian spinner Brad Hogg faces his sternest World Cuptest when New Zealand’s big-hitters target him in the Super Six grudgematch at St George’s Park.Some traditional trans-Tasman niggling will ensure a tense clash withChris Cairns declaring Australia better off without Steve Waugh andRicky Ponting claiming opposing captain Stephen Fleming strugglesagainst the world champions.Cairns may have been right, but Ponting appeared to have his numberswrong.Having already highlighted Ponting’s short time in the captaincy as apotential Australian weakness, Cairns turned his attention to Hogg,saying the exuberant left-arm chinaman bowler was yet to prove himselfunder extreme pressure.”I think the loss of Jason Gillespie might be a factor in their paceattack and not having Shane Warne could play a part as well,” saidCairns.”The pressure’s now on Hogg, and while he brings fresh enthusiasm intotheir side, in the big games experience is probably more important.”A day earlier, Cairns had told AAP: “We’ll be seeing what he’s made of.”Hogg, returning to the Australian side last summer after almost sevenyears in the wilderness, has taken nine wickets at the World Cup at anaverage of 21.The 32-year-old has played only 21 international one-dayers and hisgreatest challenge will come when the fate of a big game hangs in thebalance and he has a few overs left to bowl.There hasn’t been much pressure on Hogg or Australia yet.Cairns can’t seem to make up his mind on who should be in charge of theAustralian side. Having questioned Ponting’s capabilities before thetournament, he now reckons Australia is stronger without the revered37-year-old Waugh, sacked 12 months ago when Ponting took over.”They’re a better team without Steve Waugh, certainly they’re abetter-balanced side,” said Cairns.On suspended Warne, he said: “Its a pity he’s not here. He’s a greatcompetitor and a good friend, so it’s sad he’s not here and I hopeeverything works out for him in the future.”Leg-spinners usually take a few overs to find their rhythm and the Kiwissuccessfully went after Warne 18 months ago in Australia.But Ponting said the Black Caps might be in for a rude shock if theytargeted Hogg because they had never faced him before.”In Australia last time they certainly made a conscious effort to getinto Warney, particularly early in his spells,” said Ponting.”Craig McMillan and Chris Cairns and those sort of blokes had a crack athim but I don’t think they’ll be able to do that with Hoggy because theyhaven’t seen much of him.”Once Hoggy gets a bit of a sniff and gets on top he tends to bowl a lotbetter so I don’t think they’ll want to risk letting him get into hisgame right from the start.”