It was a restrained and yet upbeat Chris Martin who talked to the media the day before the start of the first Test.
Clearly excited, Martin had trouble hiding his high hopes of New Zealand claiming a rare Test victory against their Trans-Tasman rivals at The Gabba. When questioned about the chance to take advantage of an unusually understrength Australian side Martin acknowledged that the Aussies didn’t read as the powerhouse they have been in the past.
“I think if you look on paper, that’s always the first rule of thumb,” said Martin.
But the seasoned campaigner refused to get ahead of himself making it clear that looking too far into the future wasn’t the key to success.
“I still think it’s how you turn up on the day, the attitude you’ve got, the determination to do well. Any team who comes up against Australia in their own conditions has to have the determination to do well.”
With so much on the line, determination shouldn’t be an issue. Chris is also confident that his young bowling partners will shine on the big stage.
Doug Bracewell, 21, will play his second Test after impressing against Zimbabwe recently while Tim Southee, 22, has 13 caps to his name. The senior bowler said he doesn’t think the occasion will affect the pair of young quicks.
“They don’t really buy into reputations and tend to go out and focus on what we’ve got to do for the day. It’s quite a simple attitude and one that works well when you’re under pressure. “
Martin has also been impressed with uncapped player left-armer Trent Boult and although couldn’t confirm his place in the starting XI, said he would take his opporturnity when it came.
“I’m wrapped to see them swinging the ball, which is one of the things I think that will trouble any international side. I know that he’s (Boult) impressed a few of our guys in the nets. He swings the ball and has a bit of pace behind it.”
A lot has been made of the BLACKCAPS batting group with seven centuries coming from the last two First-Class matches but the bowling group have been quietly gathering momentum.
All four pacemen took wickets against Australia A with Bracewell's four for 87 the best of the attack. Southee picked up seven in his last Plunket Shield match while the recent Test match against Zimbabwe saw Martin pass 200 Test wickets and Vettori reach 350.
With the experience of Martin and Vettori along with the promise of Bracewell and Southee in the BLACKCAPS bowling line up all bases are covered in what promises to be a fascinating contest.
BLACKCAPS bowling attack
Age: 36
Test matches played: 62
Test bowling average: 34.94
Test wickets: 202
BBI: 6-54
BBM: 11-180
Dan Vettori
Age: 32
Test matches played: 106
Test bowling average: 33.61
Test wickets: 353
BBI: 7-87
BBM: 12-149
Tim Southee
Age: 22
Test matches played: 13
Test bowling average: 42.54
Test wickets: 35
BBI: 5-55
BBM: 5-150
Doug Bracewell
Age: 21
Test matches played: 1
Test bowling average: 22.66
Test wickets: 6
BBI: 5-85
BBM: 6-186
Trent Boult
Age: 22
Uncapped in Test cricket
