New Zealand cannot fly under the radar this time: Coach Mike Hesson
New Zealand s coach Mike Hesson has said that the co-hosts of the tournament cannot fly under the radar this time around as they are performing better and the people have noticed it. The Kiwis sounded their loudest warning yet as they defeated Sri Lanka by 98 runs ad confirmed them as favorites for the tournament. Coach Hesson acknowledged that,
"I don't think we can fly under the radar, We've performed well for a while, people have taken note of that. If we keep performing well, we'll get some attention. It's important that we've built up momentum and confidence - that's a big part of being consistent. But as a group we don't get carried away."
In the past year or so, New Zealand changed their aggression, with bat, ball and in the field. The captain has led by example in that front, hitting the first ball of the tournament for four to launch his innings of 65 off 49 balls. McCullum has also continued to search for wickets with his bowlers, employing close-catchers well into the middle overs while using up overs from his most penetrative bowlers without fear of being exposed later in the innings.
"I think the sides that continue to attack with the ball are the ones that can turn an opposition 350 into 180," Hesson said. "The new rules have taken out that trivial play between 15 and 40 overs. That area of the game has been invigorated, and there are more boundary opportunities. Therefore, if you sit back and watch and wait, you can be chasing a big total."
New Zealand has bowling resources to cope on any situations
Hesson had also praises for Adam Milne and said that though there were "sore bodies." in the dressing room, they still possess the bowling resources to cope with any situations.
"Adam's bowling got better as the game went on," he said. "He bowled with some gas and would have got a lot of confidence out of the wickets he picked up at the end. But for us Adam and Mitchell McClenaghan do a similar role.”
“They are the first change bowlers who can keep attacking through those middle overs. Mitch and Adam can also take the new ball if required. Kyle [Mills] has also shown how good he can be in certain conditions as well. It's nice to have five guys that are performing pretty well."
"I've stated before that there would be a number of upsets in this tournament. If sides take others lightly, they could get turned over and we'll definitely prepare and scout as best we can with Scotland," Hesson said in the challenge the Kiwis might face against Scotland.
"They smashed Ireland and they've put a lot of other sides under pressure. We don't have a heck of a lot of footage, but we do have some good information. We'll prepare as well as for any international."