NAPIER: New Zealand’s Tim Southee backed the team’s bench strength to deliver as the Black Caps ponder whether to play one or more of their four reserves in a World Cup game against Afghanistan in Napier on Sunday.
Co-hosts New Zealand have won all four of their matches so far with the same XI to stand atop Pool A and have already booked their place in the quarter-finals.
But any one of seamers Kyle Mills and Mitchell McClenaghan, off-spinner Nathan McCullum and back-up batsman Tom Latham can come in if New Zealand opt to rest one of their main players.
Southee, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 13, said the four — as yet unused — squad men had been working hard.
“They’ve been brilliant,” said Southee, who has been suffering from a fever. “They’re training the house down, bowling exceptionally well in the nets and offering a lot as the ‘dirties’. Their heads are still up and they want what’s best for the team.”
All four reserves have not played since featuring in the two ODIs against Pakistan in January-February, but Southee said the whole quartet was ready if called upon.
“Their attitude and work ethic away from the game has been outstanding, so I’m sure when they get their chance, if it comes in a quarter-final or semifinal, we know they’re ready to go. They’re banging the door down waiting for their chance.”
Southee, who missed training on Wednesday due to fever, said he was fit. “I am fit, all 15 guys are fit and ready to go so we’ll just have to wait and see what coach Mike [Hesson] and [skipper] Brendon [McCullum)]decide to do with the team,” said Southee.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 6th, 2015.
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