Winning 61 Elliott's favourite tally

Grant Elliott says his century against the Australians doesn't rate very highly in his memories because "we lost". Photo / Getty Images

For batsman, 2009 ODI century pales against his score in a game NZ won

The last New Zealander to make a one day international century against Australia, Grant Elliott, doesn't rate his 115 in 2009 "all that highly".

That might seem strange because a century against Australia in any form of the game is one of cricket's badges of honour; Kiwis have scored only 12 ODI centuries against them in the history of the game and only Stephen Fleming has more than one.

But it says a lot for Elliott and the focus of the Black Caps team who take on Australia at Eden Park in the Cricket World Cup tomorrow that he remembers more fondly the 61 not out he made against them in the previous ODI at Melbourne in 2009 - when New Zealand won.

Elliott was speaking at the Black Caps' last official function at ANZ before meeting Australia, part of their "Dream Big" campaign, and said of his 115 (the first ODI ton by a New Zealander at the Sydney Cricket Ground): "The thing is, we lost. So it doesn't rate very high in the memorable stakes.

"Don't get me wrong - when you get back to your room at night, you feel a sense of relief and some self-satisfaction but ... we lost. You can't jump around. We play to win.

"So I remember the 61 not out because I did my job and we played the game better and we came away with a win - that felt better than scoring a hundred."

If you needed any further clue to the unity and purpose of this Black Caps' outfit, it is in those words and Elliott's next, asked about the difference between the New Zealand team now and back when he first started playing for them in 2008/2009.

He is ideally placed to comment, having performed well, particularly in ODIs when he first came into the team. He then spent some time on the sidelines before being a surprise selection for this tournament - one which has paid off as the elegant right-hand bat and bowler is averaging 57.3 with the bat (including another century against Sri Lanka in the World Cup build-up) in his summer campaign so far.

"The main difference is stability," he said. "I think we have got a very good team because we have some good team players and good people in key roles. Everyone is striving hard towards the same thing and trying to improve all the time.

"It's not about the individuals any more; it's always about the team - and that is holding true on and off the field. The guys are really working together and really looking after each other. It's the small things, really.

"You might get someone's family coming in to see them and guys are offering their rooms to give them somewhere to meet. It's all about making sure the families and partners are well catered for.

"I know - because I recently had a family emergency and the guys were all very concerned. I was allowed to take a couple of games off to gather myself and I thought that was a great indication of how the guys are looking after each other.

"We play to win, yes, but cricket isn't a matter of life and death; that support off the field really makes you want to work for each other when you are on it. Having said that, the best way is to enjoy your cricket - and this side does; we are working together and it's fun."

Elliott, originally from Johannesburg, came to New Zealand in 2003 and remembers the 1992 Cricket World Cup as the tournament which made him want to become an international at age 12.

His mum, knowing his love of the game, let him stay home to watch on TV as South Africa had just emerged from isolation and the 1992 tournament was the first they had seen involving the national side. But there was a cost - he wagged school and was suspended, banned from playing cricket for a while.

When he became a senior cricketer, a contract dispute in South Africa firmed up his desire to move to New Zealand to pursue his cricket dreams - partly fired by that tournament and an enjoyable tour as a 17-year-old schoolboy when he played against one team containing Daniel Vettori.

"I really liked the New Zealand lifestyle, there were fewer politics in sport here - it was a bit more clear-cut when it came to performing well and being selected and I thought New Zealand looked a good place to have the family I wanted to have one day."

Latest ODI centuries against Australia

2009:

Grant Elliott

2007:

Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Craig McMillan

2005:

Scott Styris

2000:

Nathan Astle

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