New Zealand are looking to stretch the advantage of having John Wright's subcontinent experience to make it to the final. Wright's stint as India coach gave him a good idea of what it takes to succeed here. "John's been fantastic, his knowledge has been a tremendous help. Nevertheless we lost some games and the players took the blame for the losses, they should get the credit as well for the wins," says Vettori, adding that he'll look to benefit from the calm Kiwi senior who's seen it all.
'Don't ask anything about India-Pakistan clash'
India versus Pakistan is in the air and no matter who's playing the second semifinal, all eyes are focusing on the mother of all battles scheduled in Mohali. When Kumar Sangakkara walked in for the pre-match press conference, the first thing his media manager did was to make a request.
"We'll be obliged if you don't ask anything on India vs Pakistan and keep the questions to this game," he said. The local media too, it seemed, was glued to the Mohali match and it seems only when Sri Lanka and New Zealand make it to the field that the second semifinal will find the importance a semifinal deserves.
Change in loyalties?
New Zealand bowling consultant Alan Donald pumped his fists in the air when the Kiwis defeated South Africa in a lame quarterfinal. That reaction of his, it seems, didn't go down well with quite a few South Africans who never want to forget that it was Donald who was responsible for the 1999 semifinal loss to Australia - from where the jinx began. Donald, however, will be looking to make it to his first World Cup final - for New Zealand, if not South Africa... as a coach, if not a player.
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