Watching for Kiwis to make tournament final from afar

Chris Cairns

July 31, 2001

The CLEAR Black Caps' efforts in Sri Lanka, before last night's reduced overs match, could have netted them four wins out of four but for two tight finishes against the Sri Lankans where the home side came out on top.

These results, in the face of some severe sickness that seemed to affect half the team, has the Black Caps still in with a chance to take their place in the tournament final.

On what seem to be some very low scoring wickets, the toss has played a very important part in these contests as the team winning the toss has some clear advantages, but that is all well and good because then the team has to make the most of the advantage.

The Kiwi boys need to win their last game to make the final and, in spite of last night's loss, I really think they can take this tournament.

Instrumental in the series so far has been Dion Nash.

It's great to see him back and leading from the front.

He is a class player and his form considering he has been out of top cricket for some time, is tremendous. His aggressive style is well known throughout the cricketing world and opposition teams know they have a battle on their hands when the name D Nash appears on the score sheet.

Along with his skill, his off field contribution is just as big, as his astute reading of the game will no doubt be helping Stephen Fleming. I hear that Flem was hardest hit by the bug going around and I hope he has recovered well because I reckon he is due for a big score.

Along with Dan Vettori, and the ever reliable Chris Harris, New Zealand has some experience and quality to call on. Throw in excellent performances from the two young men opening up the bowling in Tuffey and Mills and the NZ bowling attack is looking very competitive.

I have been following the Black Caps recently on my lap top from South Africa. Hooked up to CricInfo's superb ball by ball coverage means I can follow the fortunes of the guys all over the world.

The reason I am currently in South Africa is to aid in my recovery from the knee surgery I had in Febuary this year. Here in Johannesburg it is winter just as it is in New Zealand.

But here there are a few differences that will allow me the best chance to get back to full fitness as fast as I can.

Last week I had my first bat on a grass wicket since January 2 which was my last game for the Black Caps.

This is what has brought me to Joburg, the ability to have a functional rehabilitation incorporating proper outdoor practice, not be confined to indoor training where the floors would be too unforgiving on my newly operated on knee.

While, with Christchurch recording record low temperatures, that's not really a place to be trying to practice cricket!!

The temperature here is 20 degrees during the day and there is not a cloud in the sky. The South Africans are so lucky to have this weather and top rate training facilities available to them at this time of year. My commitment to getting my place back in the Black Caps has seen me source out the best possible facilities in the world to help in my rehabilitation.

It is early days yet but things have gone very well and I am hoping to begin bowling this week and can't wait. Along with information passed through to me on the Black Caps website from our fitness trainers it means my progress is monitored by our experts so I'm lucky to have the best of both worlds, communication from home and some of the best facilities in the world to train.

© Cricinfo

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Series/Tournaments

Coca-Cola Cup (Sri Lanka)

Teams

New Zealand