Black Caps enter second stanza (2 June 1999)

2 June 1999

Black Caps enter second stanza

The Christchurch Press

Edinburgh- New Zealand has reached the last six at the cricket World Cup with the knowledge that any chinks in its armour will be seriously tested in the next three games.

Skipper Stephen Fleming spoke yesterday about needing to do more work mentally as his men gear up for their super six games against Zimbabwe, South Africa, and India.

Fleming said he had found the last few days draining as the New Zealanders calculated their fate and what was finally needed to beat Scotland to force their way into the second round of the tournament.

"Mentally it's been very tough, the noodle's cooked," he said.

If the Kiwis have found playing the West Indies, Pakistan, and Scotland difficult over the past week, the next 10 days will be tougher.

The Black Caps must steel themselves not only to be mentally harder, but technically better equipped to win at least two of their next three games to go through to the semi-finals.

They last reached the semi-finals on home territory in 1992 and before that when the World Cup was in its fledgling stages in England in 1975 and 1979.

This time they have made it to the last six largely by virtue of a memorable win over old rivals Australia in Cardiff.

Some Chris Harris brilliance was also crucial yesterday.

Harris pulled out some unexpected magic with four wickets for seven runs off 19 balls to mop up the Scottish tail, a stint Fleming said was "magic".

Harris's efforts, on top of a brilliant opening bowling attack by Dion Nash and man of the match Geoff Allott, put New Zealand on the road to victory.

Scotland was all out for 121, leaving New Zealand a potentially nasty little run chase of 5.75 an over within 21 overs to edge out the West Indies and qualify for the super six.

The Black Caps began with their regulation bad start, but Kiwi journeyman turned match-winner Roger Twose unleashed another of his bludgeoning efforts in nail-biting circumstances to hit an unbeaten 54.

New Zealand got home in the 18th over, giving the team just over two overs breathing space with big-hitting all-rounder Chris Cairns belting the ball out of the ground to win the match.

There were other heroes too. Nash bowled a superb line without the reward he deserved, Craig McMillan took early risks to put the pressure on Scotland's bowlers and Fleming masterminded proceedings in the field with cool authority. Even Daniel Vettori had his first minor role in the tournament, taking the final catch in the deep as a substitute fielder to dismiss the last Scottish batsman to give Harris his fourth wicket.

The New Zealand party heads to London today where it will dress up smartly for a few hours to meet the Queen at a reception at Buckingham Palace. The following day the team will travel back up north to Leeds to prepare for its next match against Zimbabwe on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, the English media yesterday roasted Australia, accusing the Australians of offending the spirit of the game by conspiring to keep New Zealand out of the tournament.

New Zealand more than beat Scotland yesterday; it upheld the honour of the World Cup, the Daily Telegraph said.

The underhand contrivance of Australia's victory at Old Trafford when it played "ducks and drakes with the competition rules counted for naught" as New Zealand qualified anyway.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)