Russell Crowe wishes Black Caps well for Australian match

2.30pm

SYDNEY - Adopted Aussie Russell Crowe is going in to bat for New Zealand at the cricket World Cup, switching allegiance to the Black Caps in South Africa after close friend Shane Warne was booted out of the Australian side for failing a drugs test.

The Oscar winner sent the New Zealanders a message urging them to believe in themselves, as they did in the VB Series in Australia last year, ahead of tonight's crunch match against the world champion Australians in Port Elizabeth.

New Zealand team manager Jeff Crowe said his cousin kept in regular contact despite his heavy travel schedule.

"He and I had a quick chat and he's wished us all the best," Jeff Crowe said.

"I think, cricket-wise, if Shane is not in the side he'd go for New Zealand. He told us to have the belief like we had last summer."

- NZPA

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