Adam Milne is the latest fast bowler to get New Zealand cricket fans excited. Sports reporter Steve Hepburn looks back over the past 30 years to find an XI made up of players who threatened to become the next big thing in the New Zealand fast bowling ranks.
Sean Tracy
New Zealand debut, 1983
The Aucklander was reasonably brisk and also had a streak of toughness about him. Was included about halfway through the New Zealand tour of England in 1983, as others battled injury. Was economical and managed to grab a five-wicket bag against the Brian Close XI, but never played for his country again. Was a lively fullback for Waimate in the South Canterbury club rugby competition.
Derek Stirling
1984
Stirling was a big, solid man, perhaps more suited to rugby than cricket. Toiled away for Central Districts and was then picked to tour those fast bowlers' delights of Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Getting out Javed Miandad in Pakistan was like removing Kim Dotcom off a publicity machine. Stirling opened the bowling with Martin Crowe and did, ah, a sterling job. Then went on the 1986 tour of England. Conceded 24 off one over, all hit by Ian Botham, which equalled the then world record for most runs hit off an over. Never played test cricket again.
Brian Barrett
1986
In December, 1985, Barrett was playing for the Auckland under-20 side. He showed a bit of pace with his right-armers. Then he made the New Zealand under-20 team and got a hardly jaw-dropping eight wickets on a tour of Australia. But he was quick and that was what the selectors wanted. He was whistled up for the tour of England by the New Zealand selectors, seen as the next big thing. But never played a test on the tour and got injured. Continued to float in and out of the first-class scene for the next four years but never played for his country again. Never took a five-wicket bag at first-class level.
Danny Morrison
1987
The pocket rocket who never gave up, Morrison was all fire and brimstone. Made his debut in 1987 and ended up taking more than 150 test wickets. Only won two of his last 35 tests, but was a quality one-day bowler. A rabbit of a batsman. Now a commentator of, let us say, interesting quality.
Chris Cairns
1989
As a schoolboy, he terrorised numerous batsman around Dunedin and was a handy batsman. Before he was 20, the selectors took a leap of faith and picked Cairns to play Australia on the quick wicket in Perth. But the youngster got a bit excited and his back could not hold out. Was out for the best part of 18 months and, when he came back, was no longer as quick. Turned himself into a high quality all-rounder but was never again of a brisk pace.
Shane Thomson
1990
When he was young, Thomson was very lively. Could bowl with some real pace. But his back could not hack it and, by the time he made his test debut in 1990, had slowed right down, and became a spinner of dubious quality. Could bat a bit and scored a century to help beat Pakistan, although one wonders how hard the Pakistanis were trying. Retired when only 28 and went into the horse racing game.
Michael Owens
1992
A big lump of lad, the Cantabrian was very quick. But a tad wayward. Scenes emerged of him bowling very fast in Sri Lanka when he made his test debut with the ball ending up just wide of second slip. Plenty of guts though. Made the 1994 trip to England with the New Zealand side but was one of the many bowlers in that side who showed promise but never really kicked on. Only took one five wicket bag at first-class level, showing how he was picked on potential. Retired well short of 30.
Heath Davis
1994
At one time believed to be living in a garage, the always likeable Davis struck a chord with the New Zealand public for his spirit and rawness. First ball in test cricket went for four wides. Had problems with no-balling but could get genuine bounce with his action. Faded off the scene through injury and motivation issues. Lost half a foot in a forklift accident a few years ago.
Geoff Allott
1996
A left-armer, Allott was a player who had a purple patch in 1999 which coincided with the World Cup in England. In this tournament, in which New Zealand made it to the semifinals, he took 20 wickets, which was a then record for the event. Had the ball almost on a string. Went on the tour of England straight after the tournament only for his back to once again play up. It never came right.
Shane Bond
2001
His test career spanned eight years and two days. Work that out. Just under 3000 days. For all that time, Bond played maybe about 80 days of test cricket. Was forever injured. Bad back, knees and feet. Cruelly banned by NZ Cricket for two years for playing in a rebel league which they earlier said he could play in. Luck was never batting in his team. Went out with a bang in a winning performance against Pakistan in Dunedin.
Iain O'Brien
2005
With injuries chewing through the New Zealand bowling attack, O'Brien got his chance. Could bowl at a lively pace. Made his test debut at 28 when many thought his time had passed. In and out of the test team over time, he could bowl with some real sharpness at times. Picked up 73 wickets in 22 tests. Retired in 2009 and went to play county cricket in England but it did not work out.
