BLACKCAPS allrounder Grant Elliott says it's a great feeling to be back with the team for the first time since the ICC Cricket World Cup, but it's also time to move on.
The 36-year-old from the Wellington Firebirds, one of the heroes of the BLACKCAPS' efforts in March as they made the CWC Final for the first time, joined up with the ODI squad in England two days ago.
He had begun the 2015 season with Leicestershire at Grace Road, playing in England's T20 Blast, and was an excited fan as the BLACKCAPS squared the Test series with a win against England at Headingley.
“The boys came down from Leeds absolutely fizzing,” said Elliott.
“It was obviously a really special performance from all of the Test team and that win will breed some confidence in the group as we head into what we expect to be a tough ODI series against England.”
Five players come into the BLACKCAPS ODI team: Elliott, Mitch McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum and two players who are in line to make their ODI debuts, Ben Wheeler and Mitchell Santner.
Elliott said it is “pretty special” that the BLACKCAPS are in his adopted hometown for a warm-up game against Leicestershire, which begins tonight 9.30pm NZT.
“I love it here. The club has been really good to me and it is a nice little town with a boutique cricket ground. I am sure all of the people here are really excited to see their team play the BLACKCAPS.”
It is the first ODI game for the touring BLACKCAPS since they lost the Final of the ICC Cricket World Cup against Australia. Elliott top-scored in that match the BLACKCAPS after having delivered a match-winning innings against South Africa in the semi-final at Eden Park.
“It was a great time and something that all the boys will all look back on with fond memories, but life moves on and there is always a next tour. We are really excited now to get back into some white ball cricket and build on that success.”
Elliott has played County cricket for a few seasons in England and believed that the new-look England side – one that includes seven players dropped from the Cricket World Cup – would be out to prove a point in this series.
“Obviously they have made a few changes in their squad and have a new coach [Trevor Bayliss]. I think they are an exciting side and they will be looking to perform well as they rebuild after a poor World Cup. I am sure that they will be very competitive in their home conditions.”
Elliott said that there was no danger of the BLACKCAPS going into this series overconfident and taking the English lightly. “Not at all. We have a very grounded group and that is thanks to the leadership of Mike [Hesson] and Brendon [McCullum] who make sure that none of the boys get ahead of themselves.”
BLACKCAPS Squad for the ODI Series vs England
Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Ben Wheeler, Kane Williamson
