Westpac Stadium is home sweet home for the BLACKCAPS, who’ve won 11 of their last 13 matches there including the eight wicket demolition of England in February. Head coach Mike Hesson puts home advantage down to how the ball behaves in the air and off the deck.
“I think it’s got an unusual bounce, which takes a bit of getting used to, and the fact our guys have played enough games there to adapt to that. Sides that haven’t been there in recent times will need to adjust. There’s a still nature, and there’s a decent amount of heat, so the ball does swing when there’s no wind,” said Hesson.
The win over Bangladesh was the first time the BLACKCAPS deviated from their first choice XI, with Mitchell McClenaghan replacing Adam Milne, who sat out due to a shoulder issue. The final selection for the West Indies will be made after the week’s training and the usual look at the playing surface.
“Adam’s been assessed and is keen to bowl today, all signs are promising. Shoulders react a bit differently and if you’ve got a guy bowling at 150, you can’t afford for him to be stiff and sore.
Ross Taylor made 56 from 97 balls in Hamilton on Friday night, his largest score of the campaign so far, and Hesson is sure it stands him in good stead for the knockout stages.
“Ross is a big game player and he’s played crucial hands for us when we’ve been under pressure and in some big games, so he spent a lot of valuable time at the wicket the other day and I’m sure he’ll do well for us," said Hesson.
The BLACKCAPS bowling has been characterised by an attacking approach, with Brendon McCullum backing his bowlers to take wickets, bringing them into the attack when the opposition seems vulnerable and stacking the slip cordon. The West Indies can expect more of the same.
“Our aggressive philosophy has served us well over the last twelve months, and if you can’t keep picking up wickets, as sides have found out, you can get taken to at the death regardless of who’s bowling. So we’ll keep that same mentality.
While the BLACKCAPS have had the wood on the West Indies in recent times, Hesson is taking nothing for granted.
“I think they’re a dangerous side, you have to prepare for them as though they’re going to be at their best, and if they are, they’ve got many match winners who can turn a game, so we’re preparing as though they’re going to front up on Saturday. Sometimes it’s easier to play a side that’s a bit more predictable, whereas West Indies on their day, they’re exceptional.
“We have been (dominant) in the last 18 months, but prior to that, in the West Indies, we struggled. We’ve got some good recent memories, but they don’t mean much come Saturday,” said Hesson.
The BLACKCAPS possible semi final opponents will face off tomorrow in Sydney. Hesson believes Sri Lanka will be dangerous on a potentially spinning track, and he and the team will be keeping a close eye on precedings.
“All the games are recorded so we can watch in a far smaller space of time – all the support staff will sit down and watch and some of the players too, while some go away and don’t even think about it, they all deal with it a little bit differently. I pretty much watch every ball, yeah!
“We get an idea or an indication with the video, but that only stirs up discussion really. The experience our players have had playing with them or against them are certainly the most valuable.
“We’ve worked pretty hard to get here and have played some pretty good cricket getting to this point so it’s a matter of fronting up and being really diligent with our preparation. We know what this is about and we’ll endeavor to keep things as simple as possible, we’ll be really clear in our preparation and prepare to put in a good performance,” said Hesson.
