Buoyant Kiwis promise Proteas a tough go
New Zealand's high-flying cricketers arrived in Johannesburg Monday promising to give South Africa a tough go on pitches likely to be pace-friendly in the six-match one-day series starting Friday in Potchefstroom.
Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming was still buoyant after his team clinched the ICC Knockout trophy - previously held by SA - in a nail-biting four-wicket win over India in Nairobi on Sunday.
But he was not so brash as to start boasting that his side were the best one-day outfit in the world.
"It's very much an on-the-day thing," Fleming told reporters at Johannesburg airport. "We're not number one in the world. It's just that now, whatever series we're playing in, we want to be there or there about."
New Zealand cricket had benefited from development under what he termed one of the world's best administrations.
"We've just been waiting to put performances together in a tournament."
"The team's developing to a point where we can be competitive against anyone.", Fleming said.
Looking ahead to the one-day series - which will kick off with a limited overs match against Gauteng province on Wednesday and will be followed by a three-Test contest - Fleming was confident his side would hold their own.
"We're looking forward to the bounce and carry of the South African pitches," the captain pointed out, adding that the side's self-confidence was high.
Their morale, however, may take a dip if match-winning all-rounder Chris Cairns is ruled out because of knee problems.
Cairns was scheduled to undergo a scan on Monday afternoon, with the prognosis likely to be announced on Tuesday.
Off-spinner Glen Sulzberger, scheduled to return home shortly, may stick around to help out "behind the scenes" in Wednesday's tour opener, according to manager Jeff Crowe.
Sulzberger is to be replaced by Auckland leg-spinner Brooke Walkerwho who arrives from New Zealand on Tuesday morning.
New Zealand squad: Chris Nevin, Scott Styris, Adam Parore, Roger Twose, Craig Spearman, Nathan Astle, Stephen Fleming (capt), Chris Harris, Chris Cairns, Shayne O'Connor, Geoff Allott, Paul Wiseman, Craig McMillan, Brooke Walker, Daryll Tuffey.
Mail Cricket Editor
