Kiwis seek supremacy (23 May 1999)

23 May 1999

Kiwis seek supremacy

Trevor Chesterfield

LEEDS - New Zealand's dark horse image might take on shade of blue as they shape up to a desperate West Indies in Southampton today. That is if the promise of yet another day of lower than normal temperatures, and rain, materialises in a World Cup game which has captured unusual interest.

In fact the West Indies looking to win this Group B match to keep their Super Six hopes alive. And after almost being blown away in Dublin on Friday as well as suffering from frost burn, may also feel the blues should the Kiwis pull off another of their amazing victory acts.

No wonder the hot toddies and lemon and honey drinks are being consumed in large quantities while extra jerseys come in handy as well. Just the sort to rescue numb feelings the way the Australians almost pulled off an escape act at an equally chilly Headingley.

In the other key Group B game the Kiwis, who have surprised with their style and aggressiveness in their warm up as well as first two World Cup games, have worked hard at their limited-overs skills under Steve Rixon's guidance. With two wins over tournament favourites South Africa in their credit balance this year, the New Zealanders have shown the sort of adventurous which has brought the tournament's attention to a nation still buried in their colourless tabloid soccer pages.

Much was made of Roger Twose's English background after that innings of 80which did much to win the game. Today it could be someone else's turn to pull it off for the Kiwis. All-rounder Craig McMillan has promised much but done little to support his reputation as a top-order batsman while there has been no opening partnership of substance with Natan Astle and Matt Horne failing to get runs on the board.

As Rixon agreed, opening partnerships are important and the Kiwis are in need of early runs on the board as much as any side.

Whether they can do it against the West Indies whose veteran pace pair of Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh are supported by Mervyn Dillon is another matter.

Brian Lara's 'summer' has been far from sunny and he knows that another defeat will mean problems ahead with games Scotland and an Australian side which also has its work cut out to reach the Super Six series starting on June 4.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield