20 February,2011 05:22 AM IST | | Sai Mohan
Skipper Jimmy Kamande, whose Kenya side takes on New Zealand today, says no team can take the minnows lightly
On paper, New Zealand start favourites when they kick start their World Cup campaign against Kenya on Sunday. However, Jimmy Kamande's side is exuding enormous confidence, and is almost certain to cause a few upsets over the next six weeks in the subcontinent.
If Saturday's press conferences are any indication, Kenya is the team beaming with poise, while New Zealand, who have managed only two wins in their last 18 games, are under the pump. "We are not an underexposed side," the Kenyan skipper told in an authoritative tone here yesterday.
Kenyan captain Jimmy Kamande during a training session at
the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. PIC/AFP
"We have been playing a lot of cricket, have been working really hard. We spent some time at the Dubai Cricket Academy, have worked on things that even Test teams haven't. Nobody should be taking us lightly. We were in India in January and know these conditions really well," said Kamande.
The Kenyans have received a massive upshot with the addition of fielding coach Jonty Rhodes. "We have learnt a lot from him (Jonty). Not just about fielding, but batting in the middle overs. We are here to cause a few upsets, I have no doubt in my mind that we will achieve that. We can beat anyone in this tournament, it doesn't matter who comes in our way.
"New Zealand are trying to recover from a poor run. They are wounded. I am sure they will come hard at us. Though, we are not trying to take advantage of their poor form," added Kamande.
Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori conceded that his side was a little apprehensive about Kenya. "The hardest part about playing one of the associate nations is that you don't expect a lot from them. We don't know their players, so it presents a new set of challenges. We have to turn up and play really well to beat them.
"The intensity for this game will probably be a little higher than other games because of our lack of form in recent times," said Vettori, who will relinquish captaincy at the end of the World Cup.
Vettori echoed the sentiments of teammates Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum, who recently said that New Zealand had forgotten how to win. "I cannot argue with them on that. This is a fresh start for us. We have lost so many games recentlyu00a0-- especially in the subcontinent. A win against Kenya could help us turn our confidence around," he said.
New Zealand's team management comprises high-profile names such as John Wright (head coach) and Allan Donald (bowling coach).u00a0 "It's been exciting to have Donald around. He has instilled a lot of skill and confidence in our fast bowlers, particularly Tim Southee. He knows what it takes to succeed in the subcontinent. Both those guys expect a lot from us. We can't let them down," added Vettori.
The facts
>>u00a0This will be the first day match at MA Chidambaram Stadium since 1994
>>u00a0The average first innings total here is 242
>>u00a0New Zealand and Kenya have met only once in ODIs with the former winning by 148 runs at St Lucia in the 2007 World Cup. This will be their second match-up.
