da roleta： Even accounting for the worst form of pessimism, Hamish Marshall would havehardly bargained for a four-year break after making an unbeaten 40 on debutat the Wanderers in 2000
da betsson： Analysis by Andrew McLean05-Apr-2005
Hamish Marshall’s methods are grounded in simplicity© Getty Images
Even accounting for the worst form of pessimism, Hamish Marshall would havehardly bargained for a four-year break after making an unbeaten 40 on debutat the Wanderers in 2000. With hindsight now, as Marshall rises to every newchallenge set by the New Zealand selectors, those four years seem amonumental waste.To look at it positively, timing is everything, and 2004-05 will beremebered as the Hamish Marshall’s season. Bare statistics tell the storyeffectively enough, but it is his temperament and style with the bat in handthat have signalled his arrival as a tremendous Test prospect.Marshall has had an infectious effect on the New Zealand side this season.In Bangladesh and Australia it was as an energetic squad member seeking tore-ignite his Test career after becoming a one-day regular in 2003-04. Butat home since Christmas, the vibe has stemmed from his stunning successsince moving up to assume the No. 3 position in both forms of the game. Inthe field, Marshall is set for a long rein at backward point, so long theterritory of Chris Harris.Unlike those of his teammates who’ve blown their chances when picked,Marshall made 69 on his Test return at Chittagong after surviving adead-straight lbw appeal. But luck has played a much lesser role in hissensational run since then.It was Marshall’s half-century in the white-hot atmosphere of his firstday-night ODI in Australia that put New Zealand in position to secure itsonly win in the 12 trans-Tasman battles this season. A maiden century in hisfirst Test against Australia put New Zealand in a competitive position forone of the few times this season and now, when a good start against SriLanka was vital, Marshall delivered another three-figure gem.No task seems too tough for Marshall. After batting at No. 3 in the one-dayteam last season, he slipped down to No.5 for Northern Districts after JohnBracewell, the New Zealand coach decided that the team needed him to workthe middle stages this season. Marshall assumed that spot for his province.But he soon found himself as the international No. 3, courtesy of MathewSinclair’s choke mid-way through the one-day series against Australia andStephen Fleming’s decision to open in the Tests.Ordinarily it would be a cause for alarm if a batsman refused net practice asMarshall does on most occasions. It’s not that he is shying away from doingthe hard yards. It’s just that he prefers to hone his batting skills withthrow-downs, a method every cricketer in the world can relate to. Staggering as it may seem, the beauty of Marshall’s game is that it is based on simple methods.
