Cricket: Confidence rises after crunchy team meeting

If New Zealand become the fifth country to win the under-19 World Cup this month a team meeting last week might come to be seen as a pivotal part of it.

Given that they are hosting the 16-nation cup, New Zealand's prospects should be bright. They know the conditions better than any other country and have some promising players in their squad, including regular first-class allrounders, Corey Anderson of Canterbury and Wellington's Harry Boam, both of whom were in the team two years ago in Malaysia, and a third, fast-medium Doug Bracewell, who also has a first-class contract this season.

After losing a warmup series 2-1 to perennial contenders Pakistan, then getting worked over by an impressive Bangladesh by 36 runs last Monday, a team meeting was called.

It appears to have been a crunchy session, with a few home truths spelt out. The following day, England were seen off comfortably and there is a ring of confidence going into New Zealand's opening group C game against Canada today.

"We sorted a few things out," captain Craig Cachopa said of the meeting. "We weren't learning from our mistakes. All the guys stepped it up against England and played real men's cricket, and that's the way it should be."

Auckland batsman Cachopa, out of Westlake Boys' High and the Takapuna club, was born in Welkom, South Africa, moving to New Zealand about eight years ago. He hopes to instil in his players a hefty dose of self-belief, that they can foot it with the other leading teams.

"Against Pakistan, even though we lost, we know that man for man we're better than them. Against Bangladesh we didn't play to our potential. It's about being a tough side who perform consistently well."

The cup, with pools based in Palmerston North, Queenstown and Christchurch and knockout games in Napier with Christchurch hosting the semifinals and final on January 30, has some intriguing contests. Afghanistan vs England, West Indies vs Papua New Guinea, and Ireland vs United States have a certain appeal.

However when it comes to the serious end, the only winners in the previous seven editions of the tournament have been Australia, Pakistan and defending champions India (twice each) and England, who beat New Zealand in the 1998 final.

Cachopa steers away from any ambitious, loose talk about New Zealand's prospects. He said he is realistic, but remains confident, providing the mentality is right.

He wonders if New Zealand at times still struggle with a small country mindset, doubting they can foot it with the big nations.

"The one thing we must do is be tough. That's mentally tough and tough in sticking to our game plans and believing in ourselves," he said.

Coach Chris Kuggeleijn puts plenty of store on the three first-class players, Anderson, Boam and Bracewell.

"They'll be key figures for us with their performances on the field and within the group," former international allrounder Kuggeleijn said.

Australia are captained by Mitchell Marsh - son of former test opener Geoff - and include Alastair McDermott, offspring of 291-test wicket veteran speedster Craig McDermott, and Nick Buchanan, whose dad John coached Australia.

NEW ZEALAND UNDER-19 SQUAD

Craig Cachopa (c), Jimmy Neesham (Auckland), Tom Latham, Corey Anderson, Tim Johnston, Logan van Beek (Canterbury), Michael Bracewell (Otago), Harry Boam, Tom Blundell (Wellington), Jono Hickey, Matt Thomas (Northern Districts), Ben Wheeler, Doug Bracewell, Bevan Small, Dane Cleaver (Central Districts).

NZ SCHEDULE

Today: v Canada, Lincoln
Tuesday: v Zimbabwe, Lincoln
Wednesday: v Sri Lanka, Christchurch