Kiwis look for consolation win

Apparently,tired of defending his team that had forgot to win.

As is the norm,New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori was supposed to address the media ahead of the fourth One-day International. Apparently,tired of defending his team that had forgot to win,he excused himself from the interaction. Ross Taylor replaced Vettori behind the microphone,but the questions from the scribes didnt change. As has been the case throughout the series,Taylor was asked about New Zealands losing streak and India amazing run.

Listening to Taylor,it was clear that the Kiwis will leave India with the thought that the hosts are the odds-on favourites to win the World Cup next year. This is a very strong side and when you bring back the more experienced players,it will be even harder to beat India in the World Cup.

They must go in as favourties,not only because of the home conditions but the experience they have in their ranks and the fact that they have won a lot of games in such conditions. They know what to expect at that time of the year (Feb-March) and the way they have played in this series too it makes them clearly the team to beat, Taylor said

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In fact,as far as pre-World Cup planning goes,New Zealand should be most prepared team for next years mega event. Since they have played a triangular contest in Sri Lanka and a bilateral series in Bangladesh before the India tour,they have the experience of playing in the countries that will jointly host the World Cup.

But unfavourable results on these tours means they are a disillusioned bunch. But Taylor tried to search a positives as he spoke about how their first real batting performance in Bangalore,where the team scored 315,has given them hope that they will end the tour on a high.

Indias stand-in skipper Gautam Gambhir took a day off on Thursday,when the team indulged in a light optional practice session. Zaheer Khan,who seemed to experience a touch of discomfort after his first spell in the Bangalore One-day International,jogged around the ground,while the rest of the players looked relaxed during practice drills.

This was in stark contrast from the New Zealand training session during which the team,including consultant Duncan Fletcher went into a huddle every 15 minutes. Eric Simons,the bowling coach who is in charge as coach Gary Kirsten is in South Africa,said that the team was keen to finish off with a 5-0 scoreline and the only reason why someone may not play on Friday is to provide rest ahead of the South Africa series. Simons can afford to do this because of what he believes is the problem of plenty going into the World Cup,the fast bowling unit included.

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Bowling in the death remains an area of worry for the hosts,but theres too much else going in their favour now in their last ODI series at home before the World Cup. Taylor will agree.