The BLACKCAPS have completed their preparations for Saturday's T20 Tri Series opener against Australia at the SCG.

Australia a very dangerous T20 side - Williamson

Posted Tuesday, 30 January, 2018 in International News

WE MUST BE AGGRESSIVE - HESSON

The BLACKCAPS won’t be taking any backward steps in the upcoming Trans-Tasman Tri-Series according to coach Mike Hesson.

The number two ranked T20l side slipped into Sydney on Tuesday evening in a quietly confident mood ahead of the tournament opener against Australia at the SCG on Saturday night.

“The boys are very excited to take on two of our old foes in Australia and England and I think it’s the part of the summer everyone’s been very much looking forward to,” Hesson said.

“Some big crowds are expected along with some good cricket - so it’s up to us to start well here in Sydney and hopefully grab some momentum going back into New Zealand.

“T20 is about taking the game on and that is something we look forward to doing this series.”

Hesson’s been keeping a close eye on his team’s two rivals as they’ve dueled over the summer so far.

“We’ve seen plenty of them and there’s certainly a lot of talent around, so it should be a heck of a series. 

“England’s T20 side is very much similar to their One Day side, who have just recently performed so well against Australia, beating them 4-1 in the ODI series.

“Australia’s side is a Big Bash All-Stars team really, with a couple of others - so it will be interesting.”

The BLACKCAPS have welcomed back in-form opener Colin Munro who sat out the T20 decider against Pakistan at the Mount.

Hesson was hopeful Munro’s hamstring would be right to face Australia on Saturday, where the swashbuckling left-hander looms as a pivotal protagonist in the contest. 

“Colin’s a big player for us, especially in that opening Power-Play. He and Martin play so well together and often get us off to a good start which gains us that crucial early momentum.”

Hesson also heralded the return of veteran batsman Ross Taylor, who’s forced his way back into the T20 reckoning following a change of approach to the shortest form of the game.

“We spoke to Ross about what we wanted to see from him. That power game is something we know he’s got there and we wanted him to bring it out.

“It’s been a good challenge for Ross and he’s certainly taken it head on and thoroughly deserves to be back in the mix.

Hesson reiterated his side’s desire to be aggressive in the whirlwind tournament, where they will get just two cracks at each opponent before the final at Eden Park in Auckland on February 21st.

“I think our public have been looking forward to this Tri Series for a while and the challenge for us is to make sure that we still go out and play with that freedom and express ourselves," Hesson added.

The squad has gym and scouting sessions planned for Wednesday as they settle into Sydney, before the first team training on the hallowed turf of the SCG on Thursday.

BLACKCAPS squad for Sydney
Kane Williamson (c) - Northern Districts
Tom Blundell - Wellington
Trent Boult - Northern Districts 
Tom Bruce - Central Districts
Colin de Grandhomme - Auckland
Martin Guptill - Auckland
Anaru Kitchen - Otago
Colin Munro - Auckland
Seth Rance - Central Districts 
Mitchell Santner - Northern Districts
Ish Sodhi - Northern Districts
Tim Southee - Northern Districts 
Ross Taylor - Central Districts 
Ben Wheeler - Central Districts

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