Re: :.:.:ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY:.:.:
‘Pakistan, Australia among favourites’
NEW DELHI: Fast bowler Shane Bond will be a key factor in New Zealand’s campaign here in the ICC Champions Trophy, said coach John Bracewell.
According to Bracewell, Australia, Pakistan and India are the teams to watch out for but strongly feels that any team can come up with a surprise. “No one expected us to win in 2000. So the tournament is pretty open and any one can win,” he told.
About Bond, he said “since all matches are day and night, there will be some movement in the air. As Bond has the ability to swing ball both ways, he will make the difference.”
Bracewell wants to stick to the basic and is not in favour of experimenting too much. “We haven’t experimented much in last two years and we won’t be doing the same here as well. We do have the World Cup in mind but it is still far away,” he said. “For us, the Champions Trophy is a stand alone tournament and we are looking forward to win it,” he added.
New Zealand, who won the tournament way back in 2000 in Kenya, is not considered among the favourites and coach feels this will add to their advantage. “Not being the favourites is always an advantage as there is no pressure on you. We have a pretty balanced and fresh side, which is ready to take on any opponent,” he said.
“We have some good slow bowlers like Vettori, Patel and Styris, who will adapt to conditions in the sub-continent. We have also a pretty long batting order as well,” he added.
