NZ tour opens with festival match

The Indian cricket team opens its tour of New Zealand on Wednesday with a new version of the limited-overs game -- Super Max International -- guaranteed to provide pure, wholesome and entertaining cricket, at the Jade stadium, in Christchurch.

The teams will play two innings of 10 overs each with only two fielders allowed outside the circle during the first five overs and only four fielders allowed in for the last five overs. The batsman is obviously not out if a no-ball is bowled, but he will also get a free-hit on the next ball instead of just an `extra' run. Even this `next ball' cannot claim the batsman!

There is also a `max-zone' on the field in front of the wickets on either side. A batsman gets his runs doubled in this zone. A boundary would mean eight runs and an over-boundary would mean 12 runs! But it must be remembered that no fielder is allowed in this `max-zone' until the ball is bowled. However, if caught in the `max-zone' the batsman will be declared out. These and many such thrilling rules make this Super Max International game not only unique but also very exciting.

Two years ago the West Indians, quite unfamiliar with the unusual rules, were slaughtered by New Zealand at the Jade stadium. However, the Indians are a different outfit. They are better prepared, having played varied tournaments with a variety of rules in Singapore and Hong Kong.

This game also affords an opportunity to the Indians to get acclimatised, and to the New Zealanders to try out a few players before the National Bank tour gets under way in all seriousness.

Mail Cricket Editor