We're ready to break jinx, says Vettori

Updated on: 29 March,2011 07:07 AM IST |
Sai Mohan |

It's all too familiar for the Black Caps. Yet another World Cup semi-final, a mighty opponent in Sri Lanka, and the odds, justifiably, stacked heavily against them

It's all too familiar for the Black Caps. Yet another World Cup semi-final, a mighty opponent in Sri Lanka, and the odds, justifiably, stacked heavily against them.

History will repeat itself unless Daniel Vettori's men string together the best 100 overs of cricket they have ever played.

If New Zealand brought their A-game to South Africa, they'd need to add a few plusses to succeed here at the Premadasa Stadium in today's semi-final.

"We can look back on that and hope it's a starting point for us going past the semis. It doesn't matter what others have to say. I know that every individual in the side is ready to deliver."

Vettori took potshots at the organisers for allowing Sri Lanka to reuse the pitch that was used for their quarter-final on Saturday.

"We have been told that we are playing on the same surface that was used in the game against England, which is very surprising. We would have thought it would be mandatory to prepare a fresh wicket for a World Cup semi-final. But obviously not," he said.

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