Black Caps not yet focussing on World Cup

Captain Tom Latham talks in a team huddle
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

It’s team first as the Black Caps prepare to start their countdown to the 50-over World Cup in India in October.

New Zealand start a five match ODI series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi tonight.

They have just 12 ODI’s remaining before the World Cup, with this series followed by four games in England in September and then three in Bangladesh.

With eight regulars unavailable for the Pakistan tour because of IPL commitments, the focus for those in Pakistan has been the performance of the team and the players role within it.

While the World Cup is on the horizon, tour captain Tom Latham says their sole focus now is this series.

“We’re not looking too far ahead, it’s about guys trying to perform their roles the best they can.

“We’ve spoken as a group that it’s about whatever situation it’s about guys coming in and applying their roles and sticking to our blueprint as best as possible.”

One of those to have made the most of their playing time is middle order batsman Mark Chapman, who excelled with the bat in the T20 series and resulted in him being retained for the ODI’s.

“He’s obviously been in fantastic form in that T20 series and initially wasn’t picked but with the form that he’s in and the way he played it’s obviously great that we can include him in this squad as well.

While there have been some changes to the squad for the ODI’s, Latham says they’re still trying to decide which team is best for the Pakistan wickets and it’s not about preparing players for the World Cup.

“We’re trying to not look too far ahead because if we do then we’ll potentially lose focus of the job at hand here.”

Latham was also asked at today’s media conference if he was excited about leading the side at the World Cup now that Kane Williamson is unlikely to play because of injury.

“I’m solely focussed on this series and I’m sure further down the track we’ll work out what that looks like from a leadership point of view.

BLACKCAPS ODI Squad for Pakistan

Tom Latham (c)

Tom Blundell

Chad Bowes

Mark Chapman

Matt Henry

Ben Lister

Cole McConchie

Adam Milne

Daryl Mitchell

Jimmy Neesham

Henry Nicholls

Rachin Ravindra

Henry Shipley

Ish Sodhi

Blair Tickner

Will Young

Pakistan v New Zealand ODI Schedule (10:30pm NZ time):

26 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

30 Apr – 2nd ODI, Karachi

3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi

5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi

7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi