BLACKCAPS captain Daniel Vettori is confident that if the team get all three disciplines right against South Africa in the ICC Cricket World Cup quarter final they can cause an upset.
When asked to sum up how the team plan on competing with one of the competition favourites he focused on the top order, stating that their bowling had been solid and fielding exceptional.
“The batting will be the key to our success,” Vettori said. “We played our best game against Pakistan when the batting fired.
“Ross went on to get a hundred with a couple of good partnerships and we have been at our worst when those things haven’t happened.
“The top five in particular, which is extremely talented top five, is up for this game.
“We’ve got a very good fielding unit and a solid bowling attack so if we can complement that with a good batting performance we’re in with a chance.
“We have to build up partnerships and let our aggressive guys attack down the end. If we do that coupled with the really good fielding and bowling then we will give ourselves an opportunity.”
The BLACKCAPS returned to the location where they lost a disappointing one day series four-zip to home side Bangladesh. The skipper was happy to admit that despite the results the team was comfortable at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka but also acknowledged that South Africa have adjusted well to conditions that have traditionally troubled them.
“We’re relatively familiar with the conditions. I suppose the wicket will be low and slow and turn a little bit.
“We have experience from being here. Sometimes when you come to a ground in a pressure situation and have never been there before you it takes a little while to get assimilated but I think the guys know the ground pretty well.
“South Africa have played here a bit and seem to have adjusted with the make up of their team but both teams will be suited to the conditions.
“They’ve played some really good cricket. I think they’ve been one of the form teams in world cricket for a long time so I know they are going to be a huge challenge.”
“I know they have quality up and down their order but like I think any captain will sit here and say – it’s about what we do tomorrow. If we can play well then we give ourselves a chance and if we don’t against a team like South Africa it’s going to be tough.
Who: BLACKCAPS v South Africa
Where: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
When:2.30pm (local time) 9.30pm (NZ time)
