Brendon McCullum of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images
Brendon McCullum of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images
Skipper blunt about mindset as on-form New Zealand prepare to face Sri Lanka.
Brendon McCullum declared his hand yesterday as New Zealand prepare for the biggest day in their cricket life since Eden Park on February 22, 1992.
That was the day New Zealand beat Australia before a packed house to get that World Cup off to a roaring start, and the result resonated around the country for the next few weeks as New Zealand charged to the semifinals.
Now the final pre-cup ball has been bowled and it's time to deliver on the back of a terrific preparation. New Zealand skipper McCullum knows the score.
"There's no excuses," he said yesterday. "We've had a great preparation."
They sure have. After early-season defeats to South Africa in Mt Maunganui, they have beaten Pakistan 3-2 in the United Arab Emirates, then won six and lost two of eight ODIs against Sri Lanka and the Pakistanis; and wrapped it up with an easy win over an albeit disinterested South African side at Hagley Oval in a practice game on Wednesday.
It is a very different leadup to that of the 1992 team, who made the semifinals on home turf. That side were well beaten 3-0 by England immediately before the tournament.
It did not do them any harm when the cup began, but this squad appear comfortable with their game and strategies, and content in the knowledge they know how to take advantage of situations, and get out of any fixes they find themselves in.
"If we go in with a positive mind frame, and we know we can beat any side on our day, then that's a good thing," wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi said yesterday.
"If we go out and perform as we should we've got a big chance.
"Once Saturday hits everyone will be up for it."
McCullum probably doesn't dwell on his first year in charge, 2013. It was 11 tests before he oversaw his first win and he hasn't looked back. But he remembered those days yesterday.
"It wasn't so long ago I wasn't sure I could command a place in the team and that can be quite challenging for a captain," he said.
"It's nice to have come through it. It got to a point where I kind of let go about what may go wrong with my game and focus on the impact I could make and what might work out. The performances have gone along from there."
McCullum's Halberg Sportsman of the Year award on Wednesday night is a fitting accolade and shows how far he has come since the dark days.
NZ had an optional practice yesterday, attended by more than half the squad of 15. They will have a light workout today and coach Mike Hesson and McCullum will have a fully fit group to choose their XI from.
What about Sri Lanka?
How's this for a contrast: they lost that series to New Zealand, having been beaten 2-0 in the preceding test series; and were beaten in both practice games by South Africa and Zimbabwe - the first narrowly, the second by a mile.
Add in that concerns remain on the fitness of star bowler Lasith Malinga, who hasn't played a full ODI since last August, has had surgery on an ankle and will effectively be testing it out in the cup's early days.
"I'm pretty sure everyone's faced him and knows what he's got," Ronchi said of the man with the one-of-a-kind action.
Sri Lanka had a low-key day yesterday, without practice, doubtless figuring a day off won't do any harm to players who have been in New Zealand since before Christmas.
3 Things to ponder
• When it comes to World Cup clashes Sri Lanka have won six of nine meetings with New Zealand, including the last five.
• Does that history render New Zealand's 4-2 ODI series victory recently meaningless? Answer: it's a confidence lifter.
• NZ and Sri Lanka should make the quarter-finals. But starting well tomorrow is significant for pressing towards a top two finish.
