Southees have faith in son

Murray and Joanne Southee will be part of a 45,000-strong crowd at Eden Park today. PHOTO/ Michael Cunningham

BLACK Caps star bowler Tim Southee will have thousands of fans watching his every move today.

But nobody will be watching as closely as his two biggest admirers.

Parents Murray and Joanne Southee will be attending today's semifinal in Auckland to, hopefully, witness what could be one of New Zealand cricket's most historical moments.

"There's no prizes for second, we're just hoping for the final," Murray Southee says.

If the Black Caps come out of the Eden Park cauldron victorious, Southee's parents will head across the Ditch to cheer their son into the record books.

Their son's star moment so far in the 2015 Cricket World Cup came as he dealt a memorable blow to England's batting line-up.

His seven-wicket annihilation propelled him to overall leading wicket-taker and helped his side gain precious momentum in preparation for the knock-out rounds.

However, Southee's two biggest fans weren't in the crowd for that match.

Despite making it to every other Black Caps pool game, his parents missed his spectacular 7-33 at the Cake Tin in Wellington.

"We've been to every other game except that one," Murray Southee says.

"We had a friends wedding and we always were going regardless. The guy whose wedding it was actually had a lot of influence on Tim's cricket when he was young."

The current Black Caps squad have been noted for their controlled aggression.

And Southee is a leading example of this composed mindset, according to his folks.

"He's done well," Murray Southee says.

"He's quite a determined character, he seems to handle the pressure quite well.

"I think personally he's accepted more responsibility and he is team focused."

Although a lot of weight sits on the opening bowler's shoulders, Southee's rural upbringing has helped him to remain calm in his approach to pressure situations.

"We're country people, we never get ahead of ourselves," Murray Southee says.

"I think he has this instilled in him."

And while today's knockout match against the Proteas shapes as being the toughest match-up for the Kiwi side, Southee's father is confident the boys in black can keep the dream of a tournament win alive.

"I certainly hope so, you just need to have lady luck on your side. It is what it is I guess but you just have to enjoy it. We will just roll with the punches."