Pressure? High stakes? Skipper Brendon McCullum is exhorting the Black Caps to have fun when they bid to become the first New Zealand side to make a Cricket World Cup final.
South Africa in Auckland on Tuesday stand between them and a berth in the title decider in Melbourne on Sunday.
McCullum acknowledged the significance of the occasion, describing is as “obviously a really big game”.
But he expects his message to his players before they head out on to Eden Park to be the same as before the previous matches in their 7-0 run in the tournament.
“We talk a lot about this being the greatest time of our lives and the trip that we’ve been on so far has been one that we’ll all remember,” he said.
“The game is meant to be fun. Go out there, express yourself, enjoy the occasion, put our best foot forward and we’ll see where the cards fall after that.”
McCullum cut a relaxed figure as the pre-match press conference on Monday.
He said he had found that being stressed never helped.
“It’s a great stage to be a part of,” he said.
“It’s what you play the game for, all the trainings that you do, all the time away from home, all the hard work and sacrifice that you make.”
The Black Caps have played one previous match during the tournament at Eden Park, a tense low-scoring affair in which they squeezed past Australia by one wicket.
The ball moved around that day, and Black Caps seamer Trent Boult picked up five wickets and Australian quick Mitchell Starc six, but McCullum is expecting the conditions to be different this time.
“I’m no weather genius, but I think tomorrow is meant to be a little less humid so we probably won’t see as much swing,” he said.
“The wicket looks pretty good so far, similar to the practice nets, as well, which is always nice when they marry up together.”
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
New Test, same result, same problems for Australia as they finish their tour of New Zealand with a fifth win from five matches. Christchurch,…
At the beginning of this second Test between New Zealand and Australia, the Australians formed a guard of honour for Marais Erasmus standing in…
With his place as Australian wicketkeeper suddenly in jeopardy after a poor run of scores with the bat, Alex Carey's brilliant unbeaten 98 to…
It was 50 years ago that New Zealand recorded their first Test Cricket win over Australia.
A five-wicket haul from Josh Hazlewood helped Australia run through New Zealand on the first day in Christchurch, but familiar batting woes have prevented…
New Zealand have tapped uncapped quick Ben Sears for the second Test against Australia, ending hopes of a farewell outing for retired Black Caps…
