|
|
|
| August 26, 2005 | Friday | Rajab 20, 1426 |
Kiwis face India in buoyant mood
BULAWAYO (Zimbabwe), Aug 25: New Zealand head into their clash with India here Friday on a high after posting the second highest one-day total when outclassing hosts Zimbabwe.
The Kiwis racked up a massive 397-5 in just 44 overs against a woeful Zimbabwe attack on Wednesday in the first game in the triangular One-day International series.
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said there was some concern over “four or five underlying injuries which may surface at some time, so we have to be careful.”
But he added: “Any changes we make following the Zimbabwe game will be tactical and nothing to do with form or fitness. We are all in good shape.”
He was unconcerned about Chris Cairns’s indifferent bowling on Wednesday, and Scott Styris’s lack of runs. “They will both improve, and rapidly, we can be sure.
“We remain a strong and balanced side. We can compete with the very best. And I will choose to bat if we win the toss.”
He said that India are a fine side and would be strong opponents. “No question about that.”
India and New Zealand have met 72 times in One-day Internationals. India have won 35 and New Zealand 33, with four no-results.
The Black Caps can be said to have the advantage going into Friday’s match, having spent three weeks acclimatising in Zimbabwe, while India arrived only on Thursday.
There has been little time for the Indian squad to practise though they spent six hours in the nets under coach Greg Chappell’s watchful eye on arrival.
Fleming is expecting India to struggle in their opening match, saying their decision to arrive at the venue barely 24 hours before ODI could backfire.
“I am a bit surprised at Indians’ late arrival at the venue. It will be interesting to see how they manage their energies. If they win then obviously it is a smart move but if they struggle, as I expect them to struggle, it wouldn’t be such a smart move,” Fleming said.
Indians arrived in Zimbabwe on Monday but spent next two days in Harare, fine-tuning their preparation and letting go an opportunity to acclimatise themselves to difficult conditions in Bulawayo. They took early morning flight to arrive in Bulawayo on Thursday morning.
Bulawayo gets extremely hot in afternoon and Fleming described it as “a sense of burning in the lungs” during daytime.
He also said India would be under pressure to perform well against his galvanised side.
“They have always been a very strong side but I expect pressure to be on them to perform. They are naturally gifted players although I haven’t followed their form.”
“We intend to exert pressures on individuals in Indian team. Obviously playing against them is a step up but we have played with confidence in recent times.”—Agencies
|
|
|
|
