Black Caps resolve to impress
It’s that most wondering time of the year.
Eyes are forward, plans are imminent and big goals are set.
So while New Zealand would like to impress with the first chance they get in 2019, in the overall scheme of things, it’ll simply be the first step of a greater journey.
The Black Caps will meet Sri Lanka tomorrow in Mount Maunganui in the first of three one-day internationals as both sides eye the World Cup starting in England in May.
While the New Zealand spotlight will clearly be on the likes of Jimmy Neesham, Doug Bracewell and Tim Seifert as they strive for performances that will elevate them into the World Cup squad of 15, coach Gary Stead will have further matters on his mind.
Following Sri Lanka’s departure, the rookie coach only has five further ODIs against India in late January-February and three more versus Bangladesh in February to establish his own distinct imprint on the style of play and balance of the team.
Seifert gives Stead the opportunity to use his wicketkeeperbatsman as a top-order dasher or a late-innings ‘closer’.
Should he opt for the initial option, fireworks may be in play via Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and Seifert.
New Zealand began their 2018 diet of one-day games at home over summer with a 5-0 sweep of Pakistan but found a more talented England side much tougher, with the tourists winning that four-match series 3-1 as New Zealand’s batting faltered.
From New Zealand’s most recent ODI – a six-wicket loss to Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in November – the team at Bay Oval will be without George Worker, Tom Latham and Colin de Grandhomme, with the latter duo rested following the test series triumph.
Sri Lanka will be without key all-rounder Angelo Matthews, sidelined by the hamstring injury that curtailed his second innings in Christchurch.
The visitors played 16 ODIs last year, with a worrying 6-11 win-loss record which included defeats to Zimbabwe and Bangladesh; the latter side twice, by 163 and 137 runs. They ended the ODI year by losing the five-game series 3-1 at home to England.