Budding Black Caps want success
New Zealand coach Paul Wiseman has downplayed the pressure of performing well on home soil at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, which begins on Saturday.
Playing in familiar conditions, and on wickets which will suit them, should provide the Kiwi side with confidence. With the tournament in their own backyard, there will be increased attention on the team, with New Zealand cricket fans hoping they can box above their weight and surprise some of the more fancied teams come the knockout stage.
They will take heart from the Black Caps’ memorable run at the 2015 ICC World Cup, which New Zealand cohosted with Australia. The Black Caps gripped the country after finishing unbeaten in their pool and then overcoming the West Indies and South Africa in the elimination rounds before losing to Australia in the final.
‘‘I can’t speak for them, but I wouldn’t find the pressure being any different home or away,’’ said Wiseman, the former New Zealand offspinner.
‘‘It’s a big occasion for the guys and they’re really excited to see how they stack up against the world’s best in this age group. We’ve tried to be low key about things. We’re talking about controlling what they can control and focusing on the next ball.
‘‘If we do that and our boys play like they can, we’ll go okay.’’
New Zealand open against defending champions the West Indies at Mt Maunganui’s Bay Oval on Saturday. Kenya and 2014 champions South Africa are also in the pool, with only the top two sides advancing to the Super League quarterfinals.
In recent under-19 tournaments, New Zealand have battled, finishing 12th in 2016 and 10th in 2014. They do have four players, Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Felix Murray and Dale Phillips, the brother of Black Caps’ Twenty20 wicketkeeper-batsman Glenn Phillips, returning from two years ago, which provides experience.
Auckland’s Allen and Otago left-arm spinner Ben Lockrose have both made appearances previously in domestic cricket at Super Smash T20 level.
Compared to some of the other top nations, New Zealand have had limited
time together. They announced their 15-man squad in December, following the under-19 nationals, and have trained together for just a couple of weeks.
While it would be nice to challenge for the title, which New Zealand has never won, Wiseman said the emphasis was more on the future. New Zealand’s highest finish was second in 1998.
‘‘Our big focus for this age-group is around development and how we not so much fast-track, but develop players for the next two to three levels up, first-class, [New Zealand] As and Black Caps.
‘‘We sort of judge our success more on that, than where we come in the tournament.’’
New Zealand will be captained by Taranaki’s Kaylum Boshier, the brother of Chiefs loose forward Lachlan Boshier. The 18-year-old impressed with his leadership for Central Districts at the under19 nationals and is a top order right-hand batsman, who can chip in with right-arm seam.
‘‘He’s led really well. He’s not outspoken. He’s quite quiet and leads from the front. He seems to be very calm under pressure, which is one of the traits you look for in a captain and the guys respect him and follow him.’’
Wiseman described the squad as wellbalanced, with plenty of talent in the toporder batting and a good blend of pace and spin with the ball. They were athletic in the field and prided themselves on their energy and commitment around the park.
He admitted there were some agonising selection decisions and predicted that some players who missed out would go on to have prosperous first-class careers and maybe even play internationally.
‘‘This is just a snapshot in these players’ careers.
‘‘Whether they’ve made this side or not, it’s what they do with this experience, if they’re having it, or the decisions they make and the effort they put in, if they haven’t made it.’’