NZ confidence higher than previous World Cups - Vettori

Vettori, who turns 36 on Jan. 27, has been included in New Zealand's squad for the tournament in what will likely be his international swan song after an 18-year career.

NZ confidence higher than previous World Cups - Vettori

(Reuters)





"My previous four World Cups there has been some trepidation moving it into it but this one feels like a good solid squad that is ready for it," Vettori told reporters in Christchurch on Saturday, a day ahead of their first one-day international against Sri Lanka.

"Rather than stumbling into the World Cup like we may have done in the past, we can go into it with all our bases covered and everybody firing."

That confidence had been lifted over the last two years under captain Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson, Vettori added, with the recent 2-0 test series victory over Sri Lanka also permeating into the one-day squad.

"You can't underestimate how well the guys played in the test match and how much that confidence has rubbed off on guys like myself and the guys who weren't involved.

"We feed off that confidence (and) there is a real vibe in the group."

Vettori said their confidence would only be embellished further with a strong performance in their seven-match series with Sri Lanka that starts at Hagley Oval and is followed by two more one-dayers against Pakistan, before the tournament begins.

"The focus is around the build up (to the World Cup), but these are still international games," he said in reference to the nine games they play before the Feb. 14 opener.

"The standard has been set by the team and we don't want to regress.

"I think the World Cup is there and it's a big talking point for everyone but we're concentrating on the game tomorrow and that's how the guys are looking at it."





(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by John O'Brien)


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world