All-rounder Nathan McCullum preferred to talk about the BLACKCAPS game than focus on the opposition ahead of the quarter final clash in Dhaka on Friday.
McCullum said the team simply need to play like they know they can and with the result will take care of itself.
“Go out and play with the confidence and the potential that we know we can. Be confident about what we’re doing and not worry about what else is going on or the opposition – just be us,” said McCullum. “We are good enough to win this game and I’m sure we’ll go out and do it.”
“Everyone’s pretty keen to get into the action and see how it goes in that quarter final. When we get that opportunity on game day really take it with both hands.”
The BLACKCAPS have emerged victorious in their past two world cup encounters – by five wickets at Grenada in 2007 and by nine wickets at Johannesburg in 2003 – and they are gunning for the same result.
“We’ve met them in these competitions before and tended to take those matches so this is another opportunity to do that and we’re confident in our own ability.
“I’m hoping we can continue the success we’ve had against South Africa. If we can continue that and prepare as well as we know and as well as we can we’ll give ourselves the best opportunity to replicate those games.”
The slow, low wickets at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka points to the fact that spin will play a major part. With Daniel Vettori back in contention McCullum believes the attacks are evenly matched and doesn’t foresee the same challenges posed by Muttiah Muralitharan in their last match at Mumbai.
“Obviously over here spin plays a big part. Both teams will have a decent number of spinners in the game but it’s also the slower bowlers, the medium pacers who will come into the game. I’m sure the quicks will still have a part to play as well.
“We’re confident against their spin attack and think we can be successful against them,” McCullum added.
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