You’re in a tough position. Do you have to use that to inspire the group?
We still have a possible chance to qualify for the semifinals, but we’ve just got to take it game by game. This encounter with New Zealand is important. We all know what's at stake and we just have to play our game.
Have you had to get tough with the players?
It’s a situation where you’ve had to be tough. We’ve had a few frank discussions within the dressing room to find ways in which we can improve on. I think all teams would get themselves in that situation at some point. But, yeah, we've had some good discussions over the last couple of days. And today is just a day to deliver.
How does Old Trafford suit your side?
It’s just a situation where we’ve just got to play smarter cricket. We’ve just got to seize the crucial moments in the game. I don’t think we’ve done that well enough here in this tournament so far. I don’t think the ground pretty much would hamper, and I think it’s a little bit better. We’ve got to be a little bit clearer as to our plans, make sure we make adjustments on any given day if our plan A doesn’t work.
There was talk about clay target shooting. Is that right?
We had a team event. We wanted to get the guys together — a team bonding session.
There’s commentary around your team giving up. What's your take?
The only thing we can do is come and play a solid game of cricket today against New Zealand. There’s been enough talk going around for quite some time. And we’ve just got to play cricket now. We’ve done enough talking as a group. It’s just a matter for us to deliver.
How much does that practice match win against NZ matter?
It just shows what we can produce. It’s a situation where we’ve just got to pull on those resources, remember the things that we did in that game. It just shows that when we’re at our best what we can produce. The guys just need to be clear, need to be calm and just execute their plans.
Is everybody fit?
We’ve still got a few niggles within the group. We’re trying to manage niggles the best we possibly can. One guy who probably may be definitely out today is Russell. I don’t think he’s fit enough to go today. But everybody else should be good to go.
Is Russell any worse off than he was a couple of days ago, or just precautionary?
His situation is that he’s got a chronic injury. Some days are better than some. Probably just hasn’t pulled up as how he would like for this game. And I don’t think it’s a situation where he’s going to go through the game today.
In the last game, the five pace theory didn't work too much. Do you plan to bring a spinner?
We’ll see. Traditionally here it spins. It’s something that we’ve got back in our minds. It could be a possibility that Ashley comes back into the side. But as a group we’ll get together, try to decide what’s the best combination suited for today’s game.
What would you say are the vulnerabilities of the New Zealand side?
I don’t want to talk about them. We have enough on our plate, we have to manage our own men. Once we play solid cricket, we can definitely beat NZ. We’ve shown that we can beat NZ, as early as — as recent as the warmup game. We’ve just got to focus on what we need to do.