BLACKCAPS all-rounder Grant Elliott says there is no reason for concern after the batting outfit delivered an untidy chase of Scotland’s 142 yesterday in Dunedin.
The home side, who won the toss and elected to field, came out firing at University Oval with Trent Boult and Tim Southee creating shape and swing as they picked up two wickets apiece in the opening spell.
It was the key period of the match as the BLACKCAPS took advantage of the conditions and bowled the Scottish out for 142 in the 37th over.
The batting outfit were not at their best, but Elliott, who scored 29 from 31 balls in the middle of the innings, said the side moves on to the highly anticipated clash against England in Wellington.
“We got the result we wanted and we got a fantastic net run rate,” said the 35-year-old.
“They were our main objectives. As individuals we will look at our dismissals and chat about it with the coach or whoever we need to talk to, to move forward. As cricketers, you have to move on pretty quickly.”
Elliott, who also bowled 2 overs for 11 runs, said the first objective was to win the match and secondly achieve a competitive run rate which is likely to play a part later in the event.
“We do know that net run rate will play a part in deciding the group stages. It is obviously going to be in your favour as a team, especially after the first game where we got a good run rate there as well. It is something we are mindful of.”
Media reports this morning have highlighted the unnecessary nature of the dismissals but Elliott pointed to the BLACKCAPS recent record in ODIs, which has been reasonable.
“If it was a common trend it would be a concern. Over the past 12 months we have seen a lot of consistency with the batting, it is not much of a concern,” he said.
“You are always frustrated when you get out as a batsman, so it wouldn’t have been any different to any other game.”
Elliott is looking forward to getting home and playing on his home pitch at Westpac Stadium.
“The pitch is generally a little bit slow, the spinners come into it. It is a good batting wicket. It will be a high scoring game. It will be pretty good having a full stadium. From what I hear it is going to be a packed crowd, that will be quite different, so it will be great to be there in my home city in that atmosphere.”
Coach Mike Hesson and Captain Brendon McCullum named an unchanged XI in the Scotland match and Elliott reiterated the point that the tournament is a long event in which everyone will play a part, and the nine ODIs that the BLACKCAPS played against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in January were ideal preparation in terms of conditioning for the World Cup.
“It is a good thing to give guys an extended run and make sure you are playing your top XI but I think as a squad everyone is going to play a part in this World Cup. The guys who have been left out are working hard in the nets making sure that they are ready when they are called upon.”
Elliott is looking forward to taking on England - a side who has plenty to prove after being defeated by Australia by 111 runs in Melbourne in their opening game.
“Every team in the World Cup you have be wary of. Every team has big game players who can win games. I think you approach every team with a bit of respect and make sure you follow your blueprints. Everyone has their role in the team. It is about achieving those roles. We are looking forward to that challenge.”
