After 23 years, New Zealand will play an international match at the Wankhede Stadium. Off spinner John Bracewell made it memorable then in 1988 with a match-winning eight wicket haul in a Test match against India. John Wright, coach of the New Zealand team was the captain then. On Sunday, Ross Taylor — in the absence of the injured Daniel Vettori — is all set to make it a memorable occasion leading New Zealand for the first time in a World Cup match in a match against Canada. It will be also be New Zealand’s first one-day international at the Wankhede Stadium. Taylor has led his country nine times before.
The ‘D’ road venue at Churchgate itself has been renovated at a cost of around Rs. 300 crore, and Taylor appreciated its look. He also touched upon the practice wickets on which his team batted and bowled on Friday and Saturday. “It’s a lovely ground. The new ball did nip around a little bit. The practice wickets have to survive for a couple of more weeks and hence they had more grass than the actual wicket. Today they played even better. The bounce was soft, more like a tennis ball kind. It’s a very nice ground and it’s great to play an international match. So it’s going to be an interesting wicket. And we have a 9.30 a.m. start,” said Taylor happy to return to India with a breathtaking, unbeaten and a match winning 131 against Pakistan at Pallekele.
Leading from the front
Taylor hopes to score and lead from the front, but highlighted the confidence factor of the team. “We know we are a good side. We believe in each other to put up good performances. The confidence in the camp is getting higher. Once you are on a roll, and in cricket, if there is some momentum going, you get a bit of confidence from it and start playing better.”
Set to take over as captain from Vettori after the World Cup he said: “I have enjoyed it. I have done that a few times and enjoyed some success. It’s not going to get me more nervous than usual. It’s nice to captain your country in the World Cup. But the main aim tomorrow is to win the game. Captaincy doesn’t affect my batting; I think you practise the way you want to play and that’s just good cricket. One thing about Dan (Vettori) is that he leads from the front with both bat and ball, and, on the field and that’s what I would like to learn from him.”
New Zealand is likely to field either seamer Hamish Bennett or left arm spinner Luke Woodcock for Vettori. “It’s still Dan’s team and he would be consulted. We are still working towards having Dan against Sri Lanka (March 18). His injury may not completely heal in the next two weeks. We don't know, but he is looking healthy at the moment. We always consult Dan.”
With regard to the role played by Allan Donald, Taylor said: Allan’s been great; he’s brought a very professional work ethic to the side. He’s explored an area that we haven't been able to be consistent and that’s reverse swing. In the sub-continent, the ball reverses a lot more and the breaking wickets aid it more. He’s been able to explore different variations with the ball and it has been showing in the last two games. Hopefully, he can continue to have the same affect on the bowlers and it’s a pleasure to have him in the set up.”
Canada, a “solid side”
Taylor also paid due respect to Canada. “They are a solid side. In the last two World Cups, they have played well against us and will try to take confidence from it. But we know that if we can put the so called minnows under pressure earlier on, we can try to dominate from there. But we have to try and restrict them.”
Ashish Bagai, captain of Canada said the Wankhede looks a fantastic venue and that his team would like to end the World Cup, just like the way they did against Kenya.
