BLACKCAPS skipper Brendon McCullum fronted the media this afternoon ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final against South Africa. The home team has gone through pool play undefeated and will look to make its first World Cup final by winning tomorrow at Eden Park.
How big of a blow is losing Adam Milne on the eve of such an important game?
It is obviously disappointing. Adam has done a fine job for us in that third seamer role throughout the tournament. Injuries happen though and we have some good cover throughout the squad as well. It is disappointing for Adam but he will remain part of the squad which is good because he is a good team man. It hasn’t had a great impact on the team. It is more for Adam and the realisation that he cannot play any further part in the tournament. The team has taken it in stride.
What are the chances of replacing like for like; in terms of bringing in Matt Henry?
We need to have another look at the wicket and the overhead conditions as well. We will factor all of those things. You have seen that the way that Adam has operated in that third seamers role has worked quite well for us.
What are you expecting from the pitch tomorrow?
I don’t think it will be the same as the one against Australia. It was pretty humid during that ODI and we saw some high quality swing bowling. I am no weather man but I think tomorrow is meant to be less humid which will probably mean less swing. The pitch looks good. It is always nice when the pitch in the middle marries up to the pitches in the nets. I expect it will be a good wicket and a good contest.
It is obviously a massive game; how are the nerves in the camp?
The boys are feeling pretty good. Some guys get pretty nervous; some more than others. But more than anything the general feeling is the guys just want to get out there and test our skills against a very good South African team in a crunch game. I think the way the team dealt with the pressures of the last game that should hold us in reasonable stead. I have found that being too stressed out doesn’t help you that much. I might as well just relax and look forward to the opportunity to go out there and represent my country on a big stage. It is what you play the game for.
How much of a factor will the home crowd be out there tomorrow?
When you are going good, it is great to have the crowd on your side like that. Throughout this tournament it has been awesome to see how much the public are behind this team. We have had superb crowds all the way through this tournament. No one will forget the chant of Southee going around the Cake Tin or even Guptill last time and Boulty when we were here last and he was swinging through Australia. They are memories that will last forever. It is great to be playing this game at home.
How has Martin Guptill responded since his career defining innings of 237* at the Cake Tin?
He has been really level. That is something that Gup has been working on for the past 12 - 18 months. He is trying to remain reasonably stable emotionally whether he has a good day or he has a bad day. That has been a catch cry of this team throughout that period as well. We understand that this game throws up its ups and its downs but we need to be level. He has been a huge player for us in this tournament and I would suggest he is probably not done yet.
What will be your final message to the team before they walk out of the tunnel?
It will be no different to any other game really. We have talked about this being the greatest time of our lives and the trip we have been on so far is one that we will all remember. The game is meant to be fun, going out there and enjoy yourselves, express yourselves, put your best foot forward and see where the cards fall after that.
Is Adam’s injury a sign that you didn’t quite get the rotation right in the pool play?
No I don’t think so. Seven from seven is testament to the strategy we have rolled out. We are very confident in every member of the squad. If Matt gets brought into the squad officially then we are very confident in him as well. I talked before of the tournament about the guys on the periphery of the squad that they were unlucky to miss out initially. Matt, if he comes in, has the opportunity to go out there and perform. Whoever gets the nod tomorrow we will have full confidence in them.
Do you think tomorrow’s match will be defined by failure rather than success?
Both teams are playing a different brand of cricket than what we have seen over the last little while. Both teams are playing aggressively, an entertaining brand of cricket and both teams are trying to win key moments rather than lose them. Tomorrow will be a great spectacle. The team that wins the crunch moments the best will come out on top. I expect the margin won’t be too far between the two teams. I guess we will have one team that has never made it to the final before and they will be celebrating and the others will take it in their stride.
