KEY POINTS:
ST JOHN'S, Antigua - Hamish Marshall probably isn't the first cricketer to require sleeping pills before facing a West Indian pace attack -- but his particular prescription was to get his body clock right.
Marshall was told to get a sound night's sleep at 30,000 feet between Auckland and Los Angeles, the first leg of a four flight marathon that culminated in him arriving in St John's yesterday for tomorrow's (1.30am Friday NZT) World Cup clash with the tournament hosts.
The 28-year old's 36-hour dash to the Caribbean to replace Lou Vincent required a hasty departure from Hamilton's Seddon Park -- and some meticulous planning -- to ensure he was in as good shape as possible when he touched down.
Soon after being summoned to bat at first drop against the West Indies, Marshall was given by Black Caps fitness trainer Warren a strict schedule to regulate his sleep patterns, as quickly as possible to the Antiguan time zone -- currently 18 hours behind New Zealand.
"Frosty gave me a schedule -- when to sleep and when not to -- and I stuck to that," Marshall said before his solitary training session ahead of the facing the music at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
"I had to sleep pretty much between Auckland to LA. I had eight hours there and then went to Baltimore (on the USA's eastern seaboard).
"From there I tried to stay awake and drink and eat as normally as possible to get my body clock right."
Marshall also had a short stop over in Puerto Rico before rejoining teammates he farewelled after one scoreless innings in January's Tri-Series in Australia.
Since that three-ball duck against Australia he has been confined to provincial duties for Northern Districts, an exile that at least provided a confidence-boosting 766 runs at 54.71 -- and a State Championship winner's medal.
After his one-day career was halted by a miserable return of 63 runs in eight innings in October's Champions Trophy, Marshall knuckled down to redeem himself on the domestic front -- a positive experience he hopes will hold him in good stead on his first trip to the West Indies.
"The batting's been going nice for ND and playing some cricket in a team that's winning is also pretty handy," he said.
"Getting some runs has been good for my confidence."
Marshall accepted he could be on a hiding to nothing given his almost non-existent exposure to conditions.
But he said he'd much rather be here than nursing a Championship-sized hangover at home.
"It's a quick turn around but it's part of the job. I knew that was going to happen when I was coming over.
"Mentally and physically there's not a lot you can do, just get as much rest as possible and hydrate and eat well -- that sort of thing."
Marshall has played a third of his 63-cap career at No 3 and although he is entering new territory -- a new stadia -- tomorrow he has at least experienced a measure of success against New Zealand's first opposition in the Super Eights stage.
He averages 53.50 from eight matches against the West Indies, with a top score of 75 not out in Cardiff in 2004.
- NZPA
