D-day looming for Nash, Allott
From Stuff, September 29, 2000

BULAWAYO: The immediate futures of injured pace bowlers Dion Nash and Geoff Allott are on the line as New Zealand cricket team management face some tough decisions in coming days.

Both are clearly not 100 percent over unhealed back stress fractures and their fitness is causing headaches for coach David Trist.

The pair, crucial parts of New Zealand's one-day unit, will have a final hit-out on Saturday to test their fitness for Saturday's second one-day international here against Zimbabwe.

Trist said if they both failed there would be serious doubts whether they would remain with the side in southern Africa.

New Zealand finish the one-day series here on Sunday before the ICC knockout tournament in Kenya then an eight-week tour of South Africa.

"It's a bit like 12 noon, the gunfight at the OK corral," Trist said.

"They've done everything they can, we've done everything we can, and now it's time to play and if they're not able to then we have to review their status.

"It's sad but part of the reality of international sport."

The news looked brighter for Allott on Friday when he got through a light workout at optional training on the team's arrival in Bulawayo.

Nash, meanwhile, bowled few deliveries and his prospects didn't look encouraging.

Both missed New Zealand's seven-wicket win in the first one-dayer in Harare on Thursday after making promising recent comebacks after a layoff.

For Allott, the race to be fit is another annoyance after he appeared to make a promising return to the bowling crease.

He bowled 20 overs in four games last month, including the Singapore Challenge tournament, taking seven wickets in all.

But after a short break he pulled up sore after a rusty five-over opening spell in a warm-up game in Harare on Monday.

If Allott played on Saturday, the big test would be his ability to return for a second spell and to back up in the third and final game the following day.

"I'm certainly a lot more confident than yesterday about playing," Allott told NZPA.

"There was a bit of stiffness and it was a wise decision to hold back this week."

Fellow left-armer Shayne O'Connor and debutant Daryl Tuffey took the new ball in Harare and both did useful jobs.

Allott said it had been a long year after the stress fracture forced him out of the England tour last August.

He seemed optimistic about returning to a regular place in the side despite the setbacks.

"I'm used to them now. It is another hurdle but there are more goals that I want to achieve and I have to get on the field to do that."

Allott had a dream World Cup in England last year, topping the tournament wicket-taking table with 20 scalps, equal with Australia's Shane Warne.

He said that gave him a huge boost in confidence which he turned to whenever the injury got him down.

"They're good memories. I like to reflect on them quite often. It's a good self-confidence thing.

"It was an amazing time for me, but I realise I've got to start again. I have to prove that I can make a step forward.

"There is an expectation there but I've got that expectation myself as well. There's no reason why I can't."

Meanwhile, New Zealand are expected to make changes to their team as the one-day squad rotation system looks to become commonplace.

Offspinner Paul Wiseman could come in while Allott and Nash both hoped to be included if fit.

"We have a squad that requires opportunity being presented to other players. Certainly there would be changes," Trist said. - NZPA

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