NZ Cricket concerned at Black Caps’ test slump

An embarrassing day three 10-wicket loss to Sri Lanka has seen the Black Caps slump to their fifth-straight test defeat.

It’s another chapter in the Black Caps’ all-too-familiar tale of woe.

After starting the day 35 for one, New Zealand lost nine wickets for 83 runs and were all out for a miserable 118.

Rengana Herath made a mockery of the Kiwi batsmen. He took six wickets for 43 in the second innings, and 11 wickets for the match.

Captain Ross Taylor says the team needs to develop a way to deal with Herath.

“We need a method and a plan to see how we’re going to combat that in the next match.”

But now New Zealand Cricket are seeking a plan of their own.

Chief executive David White says the BlackCaps’ poor performance is a major concern. He’ll seek a clear course of action from director of cricket John Buchanan, and coach Mike Hesson when they return from Sri Lanka.

“We showed no resistance at all,” he says. “We need to urgently look at next steps to address the current problem.”

White admits he’s concerned about the impact the team’s performance could have on the organisation’s ability to keep attracting sponsors.

Last night’s defeat marks the first time in more than 50 years that New Zealand’s lost five tests in a row, and fans have had enough.

“We’ve had a lot of negative feedback, anger and frustration, and we understand that the performance wasn’t good enough,” says White.

Defeat in the second test would equal New Zealand’s worst-ever run of test defeats ahead, of a two-match series in South Africa against the world number one.All this could leave the Black Caps facing a PR crisis when they host a marquee series against England early next year.

White isn’t worried about that just yet. “I’m very confident we know from the research and the indications to date that we will have very strong crowds for this tour,” he says.

How many in the crowd will be there to watch the Black Caps could depend on whether the team can force a change in fortunes, beginning in Colombo on Saturday. (www.3news.co.nz)