NZ confidence rising with the mercury
EVENTS in Perth on Sunday night offered more than a passing distraction for the Black Caps as they eye another one-day international series win today in Napier.
New Zealand will be confident, on evidence of the gulf between the sides in Wellington, of completing a 2-0 series victory at a fast, bouncy McLean Park where the mercury is forecast to tip over 30 degrees Celsius for the daynighter.
While the home side insist all their focus has been on closing it out against Pakistan, two of their key World Cup pool opponents slugged out a one-sided affair in the tri-series final across the Tasman.
Australia beat England by 112 runs and senior Black Cap Kyle Mills was glued to every ball on television.
‘‘I thought they bowled exceptionally well. We were watching them closely,’’ Mills said.
Sri Lanka in Christchurch on February 14, England in Wellington six days later and Australia in Auckland on February 28 are the three big ones in pool play.
The results will determine New Zealand’s seeding for the quarterfinals where Pakistan may well loom again, in Wellington on March 22.
In a buildup that has gone almost as smoothly as New Zealand could have hoped, the only glaring gap is some recent contests against Australia or England and their strong pace attacks.
The last time the Black Caps played either in a one-day match was at the 2013 Champions Trophy, where their Australia match was a washout and then England beat them in a virtual Twenty20 contest in Cardiff.
Generally it has been a subcontinent slam for New Zealand at home, apart from their 2-0 hiding from South Africa in October when Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor were absent. In the past 13 months the Black Caps have played India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan 13 times at home for nine wins and two defeats, both to Sri Lanka last month.
Mills felt Australia looked good but they would not be feared.
‘‘Every World Cup, Australia seem to be the favourites. They’re the benchmark team. Heading into this one it’s Four or five tially win it.
‘‘There’s no clear standout. You’ve got to be mindful of concentrating on your next opponent and not get too far ahead of yourselves,’’ Mills said.
Today is New Zealand’s quite a tight race. teams could poten-
last one-day international match before the cup, completing a rapid stretch of nine in 23 days. Two non-official warmups – against Zimbabwe on Monday and South Africa two days later – complete their buildup.
Mills said it was dangerous to read too much into form on the eve of a tournament.
‘‘It’s hard to say. It’s nice to keep winning and have series behind you to take that winning feeling in.
‘‘But last time the World Cup was here I think we lost 3-0 to England and we did all right in that event.
‘‘Some teams are trying to work out combinations and the best starting XI to suit certain conditions.’’
That includes New Zealand who are sure to wheel out a different pace combination in coach Mike Hesson’s bid to keep all his five quicks sharp.
You would expect Adam Milne will be one of them and probably Mitchell McClenaghan, at the scene of his 4-68 in last year’s 24-run win over India.
Williamson batted and bowled in the Nelson Park nets yesterday and should return from a left shoulder niggle which he suffered at warmups on Saturday.
Most focus will be on the New Zealand openers, with captain Brendon McCullum going hell for leather but on a run of five sub-30 scores after his blazing Hamilton ton against Sri Lanka.
Martin Guptill looked more assured in his 39 on Saturday but a big score would make everyone rest easier.
The bounce extracted by Pakistan’s seven-foot Mohammad Irfan should ensure a spicy opening session.
Pakistan were carried by Shahid Afridi and their powerful batting lineup need a big mindset shift after their timid Wellington efforts.
They are sure to receive a tickle up from New Zealand’s quicks on a bouncier surface.
Last time the teams met in Napier, four years ago, Pakistan chased down 263 to win by two wickets, with current skipper Misbah-ul-Haq 93 not out.