Hamilton: Skipper Brendon McCullum on Friday said that New Zealand need to be desperate on the field as they enter the business-end of the cricket World Cup.
“I cut my hands a couple of times (diving) but we have to be desperate in the field. It is an attitude we need to bring to the table. If we are serious about going deep, we got to keep it up,” said McCullum.
New Zealand defeated Bangladesh in a Pool A encounter at Seddon Park here on Friday by three wickets to remain unbeaten in the tournament. McCullum himself pulled off some incredible diving stops to restrict the opposition to 288/7 in 50 overs at the small ground.
The 33-year-old said his fielders were not as attentive as he would like them to be.
“Sometimes you are not always going to be on. Our awareness and our attention in the field could have been improved. A little bit untidy in all three facets of the game,” he said.
The captain further added that New Zealand were not too concerned about whom they would face in the knockouts but would like to deliver their best.
“It doesn't bother us who we play next. We just need to reach the levels we are capable off, just be on song, and then make sure we turn up and deliver, come the quarterfinal,” he concluded.
New Zealand will play Ireland, West Indies or Pakistan in the quarterfinal following which team finishes fourth in Pool A. The match will be held at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on March 21.
