Cricket: Coach: India capable of upset in semi

While the pundits are picking an Australia-New Zealand final on Saturday, that's not how New Zealand coach Mike Shrimpton is approaching today's semifinal against India at Lincoln Oval, near Christchurch.

Shrimpton has been at pains to keep the team's focus solely on India who he says are capable of an upset.

"You only have to look at the All Blacks in the last rugby World Cup against France where they were probably caught looking a game ahead to the final," he said.

"That will not be the case with us. It's all very well people are saying we will be in the final but in terms of our preparation it's not that helpful. This is the game that counts."

India are optimistic about reversing the round-robin result at the Cricinfo-sponsored tournament, where New Zealand won by 74 runs.

Head of delegation Sreerupa Bose said the New Zealand batters offered India enough chances in the earlier match but they were dropped.

"We had a number of catches and stumpings missed.

"If we can make the most of those I know we can put pressure on New Zealand.

"Our bowlers were doing the job but not being supported by the field."

Meanwhile, the controversy over two Indian players with suspect bowling actions, Renu Margrate and Purnima Rau, has subsided and Bose said both had regained confidence.

India's slow bowlers still pose a threat despite the ball not turning on the splendid Lincoln strips.

Shrimpton said women cricketers tended not to play spin well and a lot of time during the off-season had been spent on addressing that aspect.

"We have worked on using the feet and the depth of the batting crease instead of just responding with the leaden-footed forward lunge."

Meanwhile, New Zealand will have slow bowler Clare Nicholson back in their lineup for the match after she missed the previous two with a finger injury.

The lack of runs from leading batter Debbie Hockley has been a concern but Shrimpton said she was capable of responding to the challenge.

New Zealand XI (probable): Emily Drumm (capt), Anna O'Leary, Rebecca Rolls, Debbie Hockley, Haidee Tiffen, Kathryn Ramel, Rachel Pullar, Helen Watson, Clare Nicholson, Katrina Keenan, Catherine Campbell.

India (from): Anju Jain (capt), Anjum Chopra, Chandrakanta Kaul, Neetu David, Mithali Raj, Deepa Kulkarni, Purnima Rau, Rupanjali Shastri, Hemlata Kala, Kalyani Dhokarikar, Renu Margrate, Arundhati Kirkire Sunita Kanojia, Smitha Harikrishna, Kavita Roy

- NZPA