Bartlett slams omission (16 June 1999)

16 June 1999

Bartlett slams omission

The Christchurch Press

Carl Bulfin's development as a fast bowler could be seriously set back by his omission from the New Zealand cricket tour of England.

The mentor of the flamboyant Bulfin, Gary Bartlett -- arguably the fastest bowler to represent this country -- is disappointed his protege will return home after the World Cup tournament.

Bulfin, left-arm spinner Matthew Hart, and one-day specialist Gavin Larsen will be replaced by leg-spinner Brooke Walker, left-arm medium-fast bowler Shayne O'Connor, opening batsman Mathew Bell, and wicket-keeper Martyn Croy for the four-test tour.

Bartlett, who lives in Blenheim, said Bulfin should have been retained to hone his skills against county opposition and in the nets.

He questioned the value of sending young Auckland leg-spinner Walker.

"England is not really a place to blood a leg-spinner because there's not enough bounce in the wickets. I would have done that in Australia or on a South African tour, where there is a bit more bounce," Bartlett said.

Bulfin's only World Cup appearance was in the six-wicket win over Scotland, when his six overs cost 31 runs.

Since then Bartlett has learned "on the grapevine from over there" that Bulfin had inexplicably increased the length of his run-up, apparently without consulting anyone, and had suffered from nerves.

"I wouldn't have advised him to do that (change his run-up), but he has gone back to his short one now.

"Every time he got in contact with me he was very confident, said he was fitter than he's ever been, and had been bowling well in the nets.

"But he did say it was nervousness that got to him against Scotland. He was disappointed, bitterly."

Bartlett was surprised by that admission, recalling Bulfin had bowled well for Wellington against India and seemed to have a big-match temperament.

"I thought he would be quite handy in one-day cricket because of his temperament. But unless you put it on the spot, the margins are not very great with the wide calls.

"Playing against county sides would be the answer. He needs to work and bowl all that nervousness out of him. Carl hoped he would be staying with the team and Steve Rixon was saying he would like to persevere with him. Once you're performing in front of the team, you're there," Bartlett said.

Modestly describing himself as "having been a quickish bowler myself", Bartlett gave the impression he wouldn't mind trundling up a few deliveries to New Zealand's top-order batsmen. "Their technique is not very good against quick bowling. They are playing away from the body and going on the front foot."

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