By Mark Meadows
LONDON, July 9 - Members and fans at Lord's this
Saturday may want to take their seats a while before the first
ball is bowled in the triangular series final between New
Zealand and West Indies.
When Brian Lara and Stephen Fleming perform the toss, it
could be the most crucial passage of play in the game.
In six completed matches in the series also involving
England, the team winning the toss have gone on to win each
match with reasonable ease.
The quirk is because the side who have won the toss have
always decided to field first, ensuring they know what target
they need to chase.
New Zealand coach John Bracewell has criticised England's
one-day pitches for favouring seam bowling first up but they
have mostly been to the detriment of the hosts, who blindly set
targets on unpredictable wickets which were easily overhauled.
But judging by England's 285 for seven and West Indies' 286
for three in the group game at Lord's on Tuesday, the wicket at
the home of cricket is more suited to an even contest.
Chris Gayle's match winning 132 not out on Tuesday denied
West Indies the chance to show how far they can bat down. They
included eight specialist batsman and decent
wicketkeeper-batsman Ridley Jacobs at nine although Jermaine
Lawson could come back into the side for greater bowling depth.
CONFIDENCE GLEANED
The confidence gleaned from beating England twice in the
series will be tempered slightly by the five-wicket defeat to
New Zealand, who have won the three matches they have completed
in the tournament.
Thursday's rained-off encounter between the two sides at
Southampton prevented Andre Adams, who had surprisingly been
brought into the Kiwi squad from English club cricket, from
adding to his 30 caps.
He was brought in as cover for injury doubts Chris Cairns
and Jacob Oram but both should be fit to return at Lord's.
If showers curtail the final on Saturday a reserve day has
been set aside for Sunday.
New Zealand : (from)
Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle, Hamish Marshall, Scott
Styris, Craig McMillan, Daryl Tuffey, Chris Harris, Daniel
Vettori, Ian Butler, Andre Adams, Gareth Hopkins, Michael Papps,
Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, James Franklin.
West Indies : (from)
Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara
(captain), Ricardo Powell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo,
Dwayne Smith, Ridley Jacobs, Darren Sammy, Jermaine Lawson, Ian
Bradshaw, Ravi Rampaul, Carlton Baugh, Tino Best.