WHITE FERNS bowling coach Jacob Oram is passing on his vast experiences of Pukekura Park ahead of tomorrow’s third T20 International against the West Indies in New Plymouth, which will be live-streamed with full commentary at nzc.nz.
The former BLACKCAPS all-rounder knows the ground well having played and coached here during his days with the Central Stags.
“I’ve had good and bad experiences here,” Oram laughed.
“There are short boundaries and the wicket can be very good for batting so if you get it wrong as a bowler you can go the distance.
“It’s a beautiful ground with great views from the terraces and it creates an awesome atmosphere.”
Oram knows the scores at Pukekura Park are generally higher due to the dimensions, which makes sticking to the bowling plans extra important.
“I think we need to make sure whatever we decide to do with the ball that we execute because if you don’t and you sway from your lengths there’s no coming back,” he said.
“You don’t run the ball down in the field. It’s usually either dot ball, single or boundary which as a spectator you enjoy but as a bowler not so much.”
The third T20I could be another baptism of fire for young Otago Sparks bowler Kate Heffernan, who made her international debut in the win under lights on SKY Sport at Bay Oval on Friday night.
The 18-year-old showed her class with figures of 1-14 from four overs.
“She did a great job,” Oram said.
“I was nervous for her. I know what’s it’s like to debut under lights on TV for the first time and it was against a really powerful West Indies top order.
“I’d only seen her at a few training sessions and so I wasn’t sure what we were going to get, but I tell you what for an 18-year-old she didn’t look overawed. She definitely has some skill there and being a left-armer who swings it back into the right-hander - that’s gold dust.”
The third T20I starts at 2pm tomorrow and will be live-streamed with full commentary on nzc.nz.
