View photosKEY POINTS:
GROS ISLET, St Lucia - There's an unmistakable whiff of treated sewage in the air thanks to the curiously situated ponds across the car park at Beaujesour Stadium.
Despite that unpalatable assault on the senses, St Lucia's cricket World Cup venue is something of a home sweet home for Scott Styris after his unbeaten 87 steered New Zealand to a six-wicket victory over England today.
The batting allrounder now average's 86.5 at his happiest hunting ground in the West Indies, though for the first time in three outings his contribution led to success.
Styris stroked 85 when the venue made its one-day international debut in 2002 - and a single in the rematch two days later.
Five years later he was back in the groove, leading New Zealand to the top of group C today after taking guard at a precarious three for two.
The right-hander, who by his own admission has struggled with the bat since being hampered with back injury last September, was still there when Jacob Oram struck the boundary to carry New Zealand past England's 209 for seven.
Although Styris also took two for 25 off seven overs of medium pace, it was his perfectly timed innings that impressed the most.
Styris compiled his maiden test century in Grenada on the 2002 tour so the Caribbean is probably the best place for him to arrest a form slump that had him querying his contribution to a congested middle order.
The 124-match veteran's place is assured by virtue of his all round strengths but the 31-year was still clearly pleased to produce a man of the match performance.
"I haven't played very well since I came back from the back injury so it was great to contribute," he said.
"I've set myself to have a good World Cup, I've wanted to do well here and it's been a good start."
Styris injured his back on the English county circuit and although he played the Champions Trophy in October/November he had to sit out the Sri Lankan visit and the bulk of the Tri-Series in Australia.
And when he returned he mustered just 67 runs at 16.75 in four innings - including 17 and 0 in the Chappell-Hadlee series.
Yet somehow everything seems to click once he touches down on the islands.
"The conditions over here seem to suit my style of play," he explained.
"I enjoy batting though the innings working it around and bowling with changes of pace.
"For some reason it seems to work well over here. I look forward to coming over here every time."
From a batting perspective, Styris said the key was accepting it was unrealistic to start thumping the ball despite the presence of placid wickets and inviting boundaries.
"It takes a mental change more than anything. You know it's going to be slow but you can't just go out there and thrash the ball top all parts of the ground because it doesn't work.
"Bowlers slow it down, especially the quicks. You've just got to be aware of what they're trying to do."
Meanwhile, despite New Zealand slumping to 19 for three, Styris never lost faith.
"We have a naturally aggressive side so the runs still came and for the last 30 overs we didn't have to take any risks."
- NZPA
