WI are underdogs says Lara

LONDON: New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming said yesterday he was happy for his emerging side to be tagged as favourites ahead of today’s final of the triangular NatWest Series against the West Indies at Lord’s. Fleming said that compliment showed the advances his side has been making in one-day international cricket. “We probably have the favouirites tag and probably have had throughout the series and we’re becoming more familiar with that,” the 31-year-old said on the eve of the match. “With that comes extra pressure and responsibility but we’re developing that side of our mental capacity as well. “We’re playing well now but we’ve got to find that little bit more from our team to get that No1 spot,” Fleming added. “That’s what we’re after.” “From our own admission, I think we’ve still got yards to gain on Australia,” Fleming said. “While we’ll be happy to win this tournament, our eyes are still fixed on that No1 spot.”

New Zealand have not lost since last February while notching eight wins, including three in this triangular competition that also included host England. West Indies skipper Brian Lara admitted his team would start as the underdogs. “They are a very experienced outfit. They have won all the preliminary stages of the tournament very comfortably and should go in with favouritism,” Lara said. “But it’s one matrch, it’s 100 overs tomorrow and we’re looking to come out on top.” The West Indies are expected to again pack their batting and retain the team that beat England here on Tuesday to qualify for the final. The final choice remains between opening batsman Devon Smith and fast bowler Jermaine Lawson, who missed out against England because of ‘flu.

If Lawson is included instead of Smith, Lara said he would be promoted to open the batting with the in-form Chris Gayle. New Zealand has a fully fit squad to choose from as all-rounder Chris Cairns (ankle) and Jacob Oram (side) have overcome niggling injuries. Cairns did not bowl in yesterday’s training at Lord’s but Fleming said he will be a key player for the final. “We’re pretty confident he’ll play a part with bat and ball,” Fleming said of his vice-captain. Veteran all-rounder Chris Harris, fast bowler Daryl Tuffey and batsman Michael Papps are likely to miss out from the Kiwis squad. In the six completed matches in the competition, the side batting second has won on each occasion. But Fleming said that the Lord’s pitch should ensure that the toss plays no part in determining the winner.

“Looking at the wicket, it’s going to be a more even contest to the point where we’re not sure if we’ll bat or bowl on it,” he said. “We’re hoping that it won’t be that one-sided advantage when you win the toss as has been the case in the majority of matches in this tournament.” Lara echoed Fleming’s sentiments but was more realistic in his assessment. “Both captains are going to field first if they win the toss because of the way the trend of the tournament is going,” the 35-year-old said. “Of course, we’d love to win the toss but I don’t think in our team meeting tonight or any time at all tomorrow we’re going to stress the outcome of the toss is so important.” “We’re going to try to maintain that we can win this match on our own if we play good cricket.” 

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Jacob Or Harris, Michael Papps.
West Indies: Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ricardo Powell, Dwayne Smith, Ridley Jacobs, Darren Sammy, Jermaine Lawson.
Umpires: David Shepherd (England), Rudi Koertzen (South  Africa).
3rd/TV replay umpire: Jeremy Lloyds (England).
Match referee: Gundappa Viswanath (India). (AP)