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The last of the World Cup quarter-finals takes place in Wellington, as Pool A winners New Zealand play fourth-placed in Pool B the West Indies for the right to play South Africa in the Auckland semi-final next Tuesday. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 11:40am (AEDST).
In what has been a flawless campaign thus far, the pressure is now on New Zealand to live up to a favourites tag seldom used to describe the perennial overachievers of world cricket.
Such a tag both compliments and insults New Zealand – think of the virtuoso performers the Black Caps have produced over the years. Juxtapose this alongside a formidable World Cup record, where they have reached the semi-finals six out of the previous ten editions.
How such a proud cricketing heritage can be so readily associated with the somewhat condescending tag of ‘overachievers’ is anyone’s guess.
In contrast, the West Indies are a side whose identity is based on idealistic glory, but their current reality is rooted to pessimistic survival. For many, the West Indies have achieved plenty by simply reaching the quarter-finals – that speaks volumes for both their own downward spiral as well as a format that rewards mediocrity over consistency.
At home and on paper, New Zealand begin as overwhelming favourites. If concerns persisted about several of the Black Caps’ personnel being ready to handle the pressure of the World Cup knockouts, these were summarily quashed by the tight win over Bangladesh in their final group game.
Players the ilk of Martin Guptill, Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott and Ross Taylor finally got the batting time they have been consistently denied by the brilliance of Brendon McCullum. The bowling continues to be led wonderfully by the Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Dan Vettori triumvirate, but New Zealand’s possibly weaker fourth bowling option is yet to be fully exposed.
Both Adam Milne and Mitchell McClenaghan have been underused, but more importantly unable to back up the pressure asserted at the top of New Zealand’s bowling. The Black Caps may opt to stick to one of the youngsters, or insert the experienced Kyle Mills during the knockouts.
The West Indies’ outside chances of causing a boilover largely lie on the broad shoulders and even broader bat of Chris Gayle. Having missed the final group game against UAE, the opener’s return is essential to any hope the Calypso Kings can shake New Zealand off their early rhythm.
At the other end, Johnson Charles may be retained at the top after a positive show against UAE at the expense of the out-of-form Dwayne Smith. More is required from the middle order that is yet to show it can survive both a Gayle failing as well as the absence of Darren Bravo.
The bowling has been far better, and in the swing-friendly conditions of the ‘Cake Tin’, the Windies will be well served with a five-pronged pace attack comprising Jerome Taylor, captain Jason Holder, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell and Darren Sammy.
Yet much rests with Gayle to deliver or chase the score West Indies require to cause the first shock exit of the World Cup.
New Zealand should have little trouble in disposing the West Indies and progressing to a tasty semi-final meeting with South Africa. To prevent this, the West Indies’ ambitions rest on two key points – a Gayle run-feast and stopping Brendon McCullum from performing likewise.
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