WELLINGTON // New Zealand managed to rid themselves of one stereotype before this tournament started. That old chestnut about them being dark horses for the title was way out of date, anyway.
For some while now they have been far too good to be considered anything but one of the favourites for the Cricket World Cup.
Now, though, they seem to be doing all they can to cling to another cliche: the one about them being understated.
Daniel Vettori, New Zealand’s master spinner, has never knowingly been given to overstatement, so he was sent out to put a dampener on World Cup fever earlier this week.
The anti-cheerleader was tasked with describing the way the players have been coping with national expectations that have snowballed with each of their six victories in group play.
He said they have been keeping things “casual”. No strings cricket, then.
Still, though, it must be tricky not getting emotionally invested at the moment. A home World Cup. A thriving, thrilling side, who have never reached a World Cup final. A quarter-final against an under-performing opposition.
These are heady times for cricket supporters in this country. They will have known as much if they tried to get a late booking for somewhere to stay in Wellington ahead of this last-eight encounter with West Indies.
On average, hoteliers have reportedly made a 56 per cent mark-up on prices for this weekend. Adelaide, where fellow-hosts Australia are playing Pakistan, has apparently gone in for only a 23 per cent hike on accommodation.
The ground, the 35,000-capacity Wellington Regional Stadium, is set to be packed, with each of its distinctive yellow seats filled.
That reverses a trend. Attendances at the capital city’s largest stadium have been in decline for a decade – apart from a spike in 2011, when the Rugby World Cup was here.
The decline has been so marked, it was front-page news this week that Elton John has been booked to play at the stadium in November.
There are clearly nerves surrounding the cricket team. At times over the past few days there has been the impression people would not mind it raining for the next week.
One local newspaper listed inclement weather as being another of the factors in the home side’s favour.
If it rains all of Saturday, all of the Sunday reserve day – then all of Tuesday, when the Auckland semi-final is scheduled, and all of the following day – New Zealand will go through to the final without a ball being bowled.
The tournament playing conditions stipulate that the higher-place side in the pool stage will advance in the case of a washout. Which suits the New Zealanders. They topped Group A with a 100 per cent record.
Those wanting to see some cricket at this Cricket World Cup, though, need not worry overly. Metservice.com suggests game day will be cloudy but dry, with a maximum temperature of 19°C (66°F).
The burden of inflated expectations notwithstanding, the home side should be flowing with confidence against the West Indies.
Their new-ball pairing of Trent Boult and Tim Southee has been the most productive in the competition.
Given that the most significant West Indies threat is usually taken as being Chris Gayle, their opening batsman, it is safe to assume the Black Caps have the tools to blunt them.
With a fair wind, and Wellington is not short of those, reaching Tuesday’s semi-final should be a cruise for the home side.
pradley@thenational.ae
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