Grant Elliott will celebrate his 36th birthday not with a meal out or a day at the park, but in a knock out World Cup match at Westpac Stadium on Saturday, with just over 34,000 of his closest friends.
That’s more pressure than your usual birthday, but Elliott and the BLACKCAPS are determined to treat it as just another match.
“Our group is very level in the way we approach every game – so I haven’t really felt a difference in the group as opposed to any other game and the way we’ve approached it.
“The danger in the knockouts is you can get too result driven – obviously the result is the most important thing, but it’s about the processes, if they can remain the same then we’re in a pretty good headspace.
“Outside of us there’s a lot happening with the supporters and fans, you get overwhelming support, which is great, it’s really awesome to see the support out there when you’re walking the streets, you really feel the public are behind us.
“The guys are tracking well and enjoying the time outside training, but when we get here, it’s business,” said Elliott.
Home advantage for Elliott means spending the long breaks between matches with his wife and two children.
"But the down time, you use it constructively and take mental and physical breaks, you get into the gym and preparing so you can peak on game day. We’ve got the bonus of going home as well, seeing family and keeping things consistent," said Elliott.
Elliott is of the 'can't beat them, join them' school
It’s been well documented that Elliott’s call up to the BLACKCAPS World Cup squad wasn’t picked by many. But now that he’s here, and looking well at home on the biggest stage, making most every post a winner despite the limited middle-order opportunities during the tournament.
“I was disappointed in the last game, should have kept on and got a not out and been there at the end. But I’m happy to play a part and hopefully in this next game I can make a significant contribution. The middle order hasn’t really had much of a go – we had a good go in the Sri Lanka and Pakistan series, but the bowlers have been exceptional in this team, and so we haven’t had to chase too many. But it was a good hit out against Bangladesh on a pitch that I thought actually suited them quite nicely,” said Elliott.
Darren Sammy spoke disparagingly of Elliott’s bowling in the build up, but he’s happy with where he’s at – and loves being thrown the ball.
"I always enjoy bowling, I think it compliments my batting game, I definitely pay more attention in the field when I am bowling, feel like I’m in the game a lot more. Generally if I am bowling, then we’re not doing too well as a unit and we need a breakthrough, so if Trent and Tim and Dan continue going about their business, I shouldn’t have to bowl too many.
"T20, you’re under the pump all the time when you’re bowling, so you have to develop strategies to try and curb the runs as much as you can, whenever I’m required to bowl I guess that’s my role, either get a wicket or stop the flow," said Elliott.
