KEY POINTS:
Hamish Marshall admitted his head was "all over the show" after a dawn phone call from New Zealand coach John Bracewell yesterday.
The call, of the "pack your bags pal, your country needs you" variety, led to a hectic day which included a State Championship-sealing unbeaten 80 for Northern Districts, some rapid packing and a flight to the Caribbean last night as World Cup replacement for the luckless Lou Vincent, whose wrist was broken in the nets yesterday by a fast lifter from speedster Shane Bond.
But Marshall's mind was on helping ND nail their first championship title for nine years at Seddon Park yesterday. The choice of playing or pulling out and being replaced for the final day was his. So no pressure then.
"I had my doubts this morning. My head was all over the show wondering what to do," he said last night. "I wasn't sure where I'd be mentally and I didn't want to let the team down. But once I got out and had an opportunity to bat on a good wicket I was pretty determined."
With Ross Taylor ruled out of the West Indies match because of his strained hamstring, Marshall is expected to be thrown straight into New Zealand's first Super Eight match against hosts the West Indies in Antigua on Friday.
The pace and hostility of Daren Powell and Jerome Taylor is a world away from the generally amiable fare served up by Canterbury on a gentle-paced pitch yesterday, but at least he will take confidence and runs with him.
"It will be interesting and obviously there's the pressure of the World Cup," 28-year-old Marshall said. "But I'm looking forward to the challenge. All the boys will be in pretty high spirits because they're playing some good cricket, so it's nice to be going into a happy camp."
Marshall hit 766 runs in the domestic championship at an impressive average of 54. He had some sympathy for Vincent last night.
"He's a quality cricketer and a teammate and he's going to be missed, but that happens in cricket."
Marshall, who has played 63 ODIs, averaging 26.92, has had the word that he's likely to be needed against the West Indies on Friday. He knows he might not be in prime physical condition after a lengthy journey, but hopes to counteract that.
"I'll just rest up on the plane, get some sleep, eat well and be ready to hit the field and put in a performance. The excitement will be there, the adrenalin will be going, and getting out in the middle keeps you going."
Marshall lost his place in the New Zealand ODI team this season, having struggled for runs for some time. It's been 13 innings since his last half century, and only two of his last eight innings have got to double figures.
On the flip side, he will fit in easily, is a fine fielder and travels with good form behind him.
He is likely to slot in at No 3, if Peter Fulton gets Vincent's opening spot. That would avoid disrupting the middle-lower order, which has a strong look to it.
