Doull aims for exclusive club (18 March 1999)

18 March 1999

Doull aims for exclusive club

Geoff Longley in Wellington

Swing bowler Simon Doull hopes a return to the Basin Reserve will bring a change of fortune, as he seeks four wickets to reach his target of 100 test wickets.

Doull's campaign to become the 10th member of New Zealand cricket's 100 club was given a kick start in Wellington on Boxing Day, when he bagged seven for 65 to set up the test, and series, against India.

He finished that two-test series with 12 wickets to move to 95 over-all - but he has snared only one victim in the two South African tests.

"Yes, I set myself that target and it's certainly in the back of my mind," he said yesterday of the 100 wickets.

Doull said he thought the Basin Reserve pitch looked little different to when he had his best test figures against India.

"It was the aerial conditions that really helped against India and it would be good to get something like those again."

Doull said he was not panicking over the Proteas' batting dominance against the New Zealand attack. But he admitted the few dismissals were a concern.

"Hopefully, conditions here will be that bit more conducive to bowling. Generally, I think we are on the right line and length, they just play patiently and know how to stay at the crease in good batting conditions."

Doull, 29, has experienced success against South Africa before. He took 14 wickets, including a five-wicket bag, in the three-test series against the Proteas in South Africa in 1994-95.

After coming off briefly in Christchurch with an ankle injury, having landed awkwardly in a foothold at Jade Stadium, Doull had a precautionary bone scan when the team arrived in Wellington.

He received the all-clear.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)