Neesham: Black Caps are quietly confident

Cricket365
October 31, 2015

New Zealand allrounder James Neesham says the Black Caps are quietly confident about doing well in the first Test of the three-match series in Australia, even though the hosts have a good record in Brisbane.

The first Test starts at the Gabba on 5 November and Neesham says the tourists will thrive on the more bouncier pitch in Queensland than in Canberra where two warm-up matches were played.

The 25 year-old allrounder also revealed that the Black Caps will not change their approach for this series as they will stick to what has been working for them for the last two years.

Neesham, speaking about the challenge of playing at the Gabba, said: "It can be a little bit overawing, the Aussies have a very good record at Brisbane over the last 20 or so years.

"The main thing for us is to look after ourselves, we know we have a strong team and a settled unit, and if we go up and play the way we can, that should put us in good stead.

"Especially Tim [Southee] thrives on bouncier wickets, and we've got a guy like Doug Bracewell as well bowling first change, or Matt Henry who thrives on the bounce as well.

"I'm sure our guys will be looking forward to getting on the quicker, bouncier wicket after the game at Manuka Oval. We're quietly confident.

"We've got quite a settled unit and over the last 24 months we've put some good results on the board in Test cricket and we're just going to approach the series like we have every other series over the last couple of years and go about our business."