IT IS one problem Roger Harper hasn’t had to bother much about during his three difficult years as coach.
But, as the West Indies prepared for their second World Cup group match here today, he was at pains to remind his players not to be overcome by the euphoria of Sunday’s victory over favoured South Africa.
Given their opening loss to Sri Lanka and their decision to blank their later scheduled match against Kenya in Nairobi for fear of terrorism, New Zealand are potentially even more dangerous opponents than South Africa.
They are certainly more desperate for the bottom line is that they must win.
Another defeat would eff-ectively eliminate them from qualifying as one of the three teams from the group to advance to the final six, the so-called Super Six. Conversely, it would all but send the West Indies through.
New Zealand’s desperation was evident yesterday when captain Stephen Fleming revealed that he would bowl their experienced all-rounder Chris Cairns, even if at reduced, medium-pace and not for his full allocation of 10 overs.
The 32-year-old Cairns, a veteran of 152 one-day internationals and so often the talisman of the team, has not bowled at international level for almost a year because of one of the several injuries that have afflicted him during his career. But he is such a dynamic cricketer and the situation such that Fleming is prepared to risk him.
The New Zealanders have also reinstated the classy left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori, surprisingly omitted from their eleven in the their loss to Sri Lanka by 47 runs on Monday.
It all emphasises Harper’s point.
“Everyone understands that we had a good win over South Africa and an important win to launch our tournament, but we realise there are five important matches to come and must focus on them one at a time,” the coach said.
“This match against New Zealand is crucial, not only in terms of getting to the Super Six but going beyond that because the points garnered against New Zealand could be very important,” he added. “Everyone understands that and is ready to give 100 per cent.”
It was always clear that the three for the Super Sixes would come from South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the West Indies with the three other group teams, Bangladesh, Canada and Kenya, contesting for prestige and experience rather than glory.
A second West Indies win would be enough to guarantee a place in the last six, even with a later loss to Sri Lanka and providing they are no slip-ups against the three lesser teams.
Another New Zealand defeat, to go with the surrender of their match to Kenya, would effectively end their campaign - unless they humble themselves and retract on their decision not to go to Nairobi.
There are four points for a win, two for a tie or a no result, none for a loss or a default at the group stage. Full points earned against other qualifiers and one each against non-qualifiers are carried forward to the Super Six.
The West Indies predictably retained the same batting that amazingly amassed 278 for five against South Africa, so that Marlon Samuels has had to be confined to the reserves.
It would be sadly ironic if the gifted 21-year-old remains there throughout, following the confusion over the medical condition of his knee that first caused his withdrawal and then brought his belated return.
Although there is no change in the batting personnel, there is a strong case for a shift in the order to break up the left-handed exclusivity at the top.
Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul filled the first four positions on Sunday, allowing the bowlers, especially Shaun Pollock and Mkaya Ntini in their miserly opening spell, to settle into a steady line outside off-stump.
Umpire Srinivasa Venkatarghavan gave Ntini unreasonable leeway with several wide deliveries and Ntini naturally used the leniency to his advantage. But, umpiring indulgence or not, he would have had to adjust his line had a right-hander been thrown into the early mix.
The clearest option is to revert Ramnaresh Sarwan to No.4, above Chanderpaul, where he played with such effect in India and
Bangladesh.
The only change in the eleven was Nixon McLean for Pedro Collins as one of the three fast bowlers.
Collins had a nervous night on Sunday. He was removed after conceding 21 off his opening three overs, had nine taken off his solitary fourth when he returned and missed that chance during Lance Klusener’s blitz by carelessly stepping back onto the rope at long-leg.
Although he showed commendable spirit in conceding only five off the penultimate over, when 14 were needed, he gave way to McLean whose experience of two seasons of South African provincial cricket should be of value.
Harper said he was not satisfied with the bowling over the first 15 overs in the opening match - “we could have been a little bit more precise in where we put the ball” - and called for his players to be “a little sharper in the field”.
“This is what we are working to address in the series,” he noted.
The West Indies not only carry the confidence from Sunday into the match but also the knowledge of a 3-1 triumph over the New Zealanders in the one-day series in the Caribbean last June.
Such intangibles count for plenty in any sport and, even if Harper doesn’t want to dwell on them, he would rather have them than the other way round.
Teams:
West Indies (from): Carl Hooper (captain), Ridley Jacobs, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Merv Dillon, Vasbert Drakes, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara, Nixon McLean, Ricardo Powell and Ramnaresh Sarwan.
New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Matthew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.
Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa) and Daryl Hair (Australia). Ends.