Black Caps better to do their talking on the field...

Recent comments from certain Black Caps confirm again that familiar truism that it’s better to do your talking on the field rather than off it.

First, we’ve had to endure both Andy McKay and to a lesser extent, Luke Woodcock not being able to contain their frustration at being dropped from the T20 and ODI squads and letting fire with untimely, unwise salvos at the selectors.

However justified a player thinks he is to complain, it’s never smart to quickly voice your annoyance in the public arena.

Simply because it doesn’t help your cause in the slightest but is more likely to strike a sour note with selectors, especially when they have directly explained their thoughts as was the case with McKay and Woodcock.

You may have logic on your side but exerting patience before you speak out is as wise a move as not physically retaliating on a rugby field even though a player may have been provoked in the first instance.

In the last few days, we’ve been exposed to predictable sermons from the luckiest, most locked-in Black Cap ever, Jake Oram.

Oram has to be the leading example of one of that odd syndrome that has applied to a handful of Black Caps in recent times.

That being that like Alcatraz, certain players find it much harder to find a way out than they did getting there in the first place.

Apart from Oram, Dipak Patel and Craig McMillan are two other examples that come to mind.

No matter how lean their form becomes for prolonged periods or how complacent they become, plus in Oram’s case, sustaining copious injuries as well, it seems that these individuals have the rare privilege of telling the selectors when they’re ready to go rather than the normal way around.

Oram’s form this summer has been mediocre at best but once again, Daniel Vettori’s good mate has obviously been selected on memories from the past.

And once again, Oram has been quick to give the media a self-serving spiel on how good he’s feeling and why he should be there.

To me, it’s exactly the same scenario that has swamped the pitiful Indian team where players like Laxman and Dravid should be sidelined and substituted with the next generation but nobody has the courage to say thanks for the memories but enough is enough.

Finally, I see Ross Taylor has stated that praise should be given to the coaches as opposed to the players for the Black Caps winning three out of their last four tests, including two against Zimbabwe.

My humble advice to Ross is don’t worry where praise should be currently directed but simply concentrate on keeping up the good work of late.

One swallow doesn’t make a summer and nor does three test wins however meritorious that victory over the Aussies was in Hobart.

The signs are positive but there’s still a long way to go to erase the sour taste of the horror run leading up to this recent patch of form.

Put any concerns about praise on hold and emphasise that maintaining consistency of performance is the priority.

I’m sure John Wright would agree.

Your thoughts please.