NZ peaking at right time, says Danny Morrison

Former New Zealand bowler Morrison believes Mccullum's ton against Canada means the kiwis are peaking at the right time

Former New Zealand bowler Morrison believes Mccullum's ton against Canada means the kiwis are peaking at the right time
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There's a lot of stress on getting one's timing right in the World Cup. Pundits have reckoned that teams that peak at the right time will have a good chance of winning the coveted Cup.

Danny Morrison,New Zealand,World Cup

The fact that Brendon McCullum was desperate to get a big one before the World Cup entered the knockout phase was quite evident yesterday. He could have opted to rest like his skipper Daniel Vettori, but the right-hander played despite being forced to wear a knee brace under his pads against minnows Canada. But, the New Zealander showed little signs of discomfort as he slammed his maiden World Cup ton.u00a0

McCullum scored 101 off 109 balls as New Zealand put up a mammoth 358 for six - the highest score at the Wankhede Stadium ufffd in their penultimate Group 'A' tie. Canada ended up with 261 for nine, conceding a 97-run win to the Kiwis.u00a0

Former New Zealand bowler Danny Morrison, who played at the Wankhede Stadium in 1988 under present coach John Wright, reckoned McCullum has got a big knock under his belt at the right time.

"Timing is everything and you have to peak at the right time considering how long the tournament is. This knock will certainly give a lot of confidence to Brendon and it will eventually rub off on the team as well," Morrison told MiD DAY.

McCullum started off cautiously after Canada put New Zealand in. Sooner than he got his eye in, he exploded. McCullum's innings, which ended moments after bringing up the milestone, was a mix of brutal boundaries and patient singles.

Picking up from where he left was stand-in skipper Ross Taylor who scored a quick fire 70 off 60 balls. In the 39th over, Taylor slammed four sixes and a four to take 30 runs off Canada's Harvir Baidwan.

Other useful contributions came from Jesse Ryder (38), Scott Styris (35 off 20 balls), Kane Williamson (34) and James Franklin (31 not out in eight balls).