Wellington, Dec 30: New Zealand cricket has adopted the "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" philosophy, sending an SOS to the great Wasim Akram after being humiliated by the reverse swing of fellow Pakistani Shoaib Akhtar in their seven wicket loss in the second Test which ended here today. New coach John Bracewell and captain Stephen Fleming raised the prospect of bringing in the retired Pakistani seamer after Akhtar's devastating match-winning haul of 11 for 78 ensured Pakistan the test and the two-match series.
Akhtar achieved figures of 17 for 89 from the two Tests against New Zealand, whose batsmen failed to get to grips with his extreme pace and swing.
Input from Akram would be invaluable, Fleming said.
"Why not go to the best, and if we can get him, great," Fleming said.
"Certainly if we can get the best players in the world at that skill, then it'd be great to learn."
New Zealand have some useful exponents of reverse swing to call on, namely injured star Shane Bond and former Test players Danny Morrison and left-armer Geoff Allott.
But Akram is the master, with 414 Test wickets and 502 one-day scalps before his retirement this year. Bureau Report