New Zealand coach Ashley Ross says even the absence of skipper Stephen Fleming from the side for concluding TVS tri-series league match against India on Saturday cannot stop his team from making history.
"Tomorrow is a chance to make history. It will be the first time we will leave Indian shores without having lost to an Indian side. We beat them at home 12 months back and then we have not lost to them here [in India]. No one can then say we were not the better side," said Ross.
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Fleming's absence, due to injury, is indeed a big setback for the Kiwis though Ross opines New Zealand has several leaders.
"Stephen Fleming is without doubt a world class captain, but in our team we have tried to get everyone involved from the start. We have one captain but there are several leaders in this team," he declared.
Earlier on Friday, Fleming failed a fitness test and was ruled out of the crucial encounter, which will decide who takes on the Aussies in the final. The New Zealand skipper has a lower abdominal strain, a chronic injury that refuses to go away.
Chris Cairns will take over captaincy.
"Fleming has always believed in the power of the group and it is time to see how that rises to the challenge in his absence," Ross added.
The top order, in a batting line-up that has no one averaging over 32, has been worrisome for the Kiwis. Fleming, their best batsman in one-dayers, with an average of 30.86, is the only batsman to touch 30 runs per innings. Nathan Astle, who averages 34.40, is missing from the action.
"We hope the top order can come good in the important match," said Ross, adding "the batting order is yet to be decided but the pitch looks like a good batting track."
For a Kiwi side that has no superstars, they sure will be hoping their group theory will better the individual talent that the Indians have in abundance.
