Just a glitch - Fleming

From Stuff, 13 March 2003

PORT ELIZABETH: Was New Zealand's 96-run hammering by Australia the second-to-last nail in their cricket World Cup coffin or have they the bottle to rebound by toppling India tomorrow?

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming remained adamant it was a mere glitch in their title bid which nonetheless took a hefty body blow at St George's Park.

The Black Caps blew a royal chance to seal their semifinal berth and Fleming's men will be sent home if they can't quell the suddenly in-form Indians on the Centurion Park batting paradise tomorrow.

On the back of Shane Bond's outstanding six wickets for 23 runs, New Zealand couldn't kill off the Australian tailenders and were left chasing 209 which proved way too much.

The chanting and flag-waving of New Zealand's fair swag of supporters suddenly gave way to the 100-strong green and gold army 50m away who roared their beloved world champions home.

Fleming's 48 aside, the New Zealand batsmen were loose and even reckless, and when it came down to Lou Vincent, Brendon McCullum and Jacob Oram, it showed they had only one or two innings apiece at the tournament as Brett Lee tore in.

With just two days to pick them up again before meeting Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and company, Fleming said team sprit was still good.

"We'll be disappointed but realistic about what's ahead. We've got India who we've played very well against," Fleming said.

"The batting as a unit should have achieved that score and we didn't so justice to Shane's figures."

"It was a disappointing day but it's one out of three or four weeks so we've got to keep it in perspective.

"India are obviously very confident in the way they're playing but that can be a weakness as well. We've got to open up some of the wounds we opened in New Zealand."

New Zealand hammered India 5-2 at home just weeks ago but they loom as a much tougher prospect here in conditions they enjoy, especially after a healthy beating of Sri Lanka at the weekend.

With India's batsmen finding form, there is a worrying look about the New Zealand bowling attack who, Bond aside, couldn't finish the job.

It has been the constant problem for Fleming who went with all-out attack from Bond with spectacular results.

But when his 10 overs were completed his cohorts struggled to remove No 9 Andy Bichel - whose previous best innings was 34.

He hit 64 off 83 balls and with Michael Bevan added 97 for the eighth wicket as Oram, Andre Adams, Daniel Vettori and Chris Harris couldn't budge them.

Chris Cairns was decided not to be risked in a high-pressure situation with a shoulder twinge, but should be fit to bowl on Friday night.

"We couldn't grab those final wickets which was not the first time. If you use up your resources you've got to rely on the second and third bowlers and it didn't quite happen," Fleming said.

"They grabbed it from us and we ran out of a bit of ammo.

"Shane was just so 'amped' it would have been stupid to take him off."

With India player of the series Daryl Tuffey on the sidelines it raised the question as to whether he or Kyle Mills would be worth a punt on Friday night.

Bowling aside, the total of 209 should have comfortably been achieved but the batting was paper-thin.

Nathan Astle and Scott Styris were beaten by the movement of Glenn McGrath while Cairns looked well set before flaying a regulation catch to Lee at third man.

Fleming was also guilty of giving his wicket away when he gloved a hook shot off Lee to be the first of the Aussie pacebowler's five victims.

Should New Zealand topple India it would book a rematch in Durban next week for one semifinal, while Australia would probably face Sri Lanka in Port Elizabeth in the other semi.

Fleming had no doubt the scars would heal in time if New Zealand got another crack at the defending champions in the final on March 23.

"Eighty for seven is a good indication we can make headway. I still believe we can beat them, and they know they have to play well to beat us. It's a good scenario."