Cricket: NZ primed for whatever is thrown their way

The NZ cricket team have had a largely seamless World Cup build-up. Andrew Alderson inspects the finished product for pressure points with the tournament starting this morning

1. Do Sri Lanka use a slow bowler early?

Call it reverse psychology. Martin Crowe shocked the cricketing world by opening with a parsimonious Dipak Patel at the 1992 tournament opener against Australia. What if Sri Lanka employ the same tactic? The guile of Sachithra Senanayake could challenge Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum who will expect the ball to come onto the bat. Senanayake did this against New Zealand in Dambulla in 2013. He took two for 14 in five overs and Sri Lanka won a rain-affected match by 36 runs. Call it a conspiracy theory but the return of Lasith Malinga might be a smokescreen to deeper tactical scheming.

2. Where are Dibbly, Dobbly, Wibbly and Wobbly?

Should New Zealand be fretting at their lack of slow-medium trundlers to bowl slightly short of a length and taking the pace off? Only Grant Elliott appears to be a reincarnate of the successful 1992 quartet of Gavin Larsen, Chris Harris, Willie Watson and Rod Latham. Elliott's nude ball - the one flighted, or at least gently palmed, out of his hand with minimal energy imparted - might be a tournament success. His seven wickets at 22.57 since his ODI return last month suggest he's valuable.

3. Have New Zealand faced enough genuine pace?

Until Wednesday this seemed a pivotal question. New Zealand struggled in ODIs against South Africa earlier in the summer, then dispatched Pakistan (home and away) and Sri Lanka. However, 331 for eight, even in a practice game against the Proteas at Hagley Oval, must have done wonders for New Zealand's confidence, especially against Morne Morkel and Vern Philander. Still, one name was missing: Dale Steyn. New Zealand also have the return of the erstwhile injured Malinga to contend with today.

4. Back-stop to the wicket-keeper

Luke Ronchi is it, for now. Tom Latham received an opportunity against South Africa where he took three catches and conceded no byes. If Ronchi was temporarily injured and Latham was thrust into a pool game it shouldn't be too detrimental although Ronchi's recent impact as a closer has been phenomenal. If there is a more serious Ronchi injury, BJ Watling is on stand-by. His record in the one-day game was excellent on the England 'A' tour with an average of 38.60 and strike rate of 137 closing in the middle order.

5. Is the Australia match New Zealand's World Cup tipping point?

These teams last completed an ODI at Nagpur during the 2011 World Cup - New Zealand were trounced. Initiative is paramount. Weapons like David Warner, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson must be neutralised early on a small ground like Eden Park. Michael Clarke could also be fit for this. New Zealand must be ready to counter a batsman whose determination levels will be brimming after his controversial international hiatus. Controlled aggression must trump Australia's penchant for verbal sparring if New Zealand are to advance to the quarter-finals with confidence.

6. How do we know if they have peaked?

We'll have a decent gauge by the end of next week after the games against Sri Lanka, Scotland and England. Indications suggest NZ are playing consistent cricket and have sufficient contingency plans to ward off the loss of early wickets or the concession of heavy runs. After 17 ODIs and two warm-ups since October, a New Zealand team may never have been better prepared for a World Cup.

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