Cricket World Cup: Cake Tin bonanza venue for Black Caps

The Black Caps have won 10 of their last 12 completed one-day internationals at the Cake Tin. Photo / Getty Images

Coach Hesson says his side has a valuable understanding of Wellington wicket.

With a drop-in pitch, metallic exterior and a splash of spare yellow seats, Wellington Regional Stadium is quickly shaping as one of the Black Caps' favourite venues.

The New Zealanders have won 10 of their last 12 completed one-day internationals at the Cake Tin and in their most recent trip to the ground they smashed England by eight wickets during pool play at the World Cup last month.

The Black Caps will meet the West Indies in their quarter-final in Wellington on Saturday and New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said his side had a valuable understanding of the wicket.

"I just think the bounce is different. I don't want to give too much away in terms of what the bounce is like but it's a different surface," Hesson said.

The West Indies last played in Wellington in 2009 and the materials under the pitch have also changed in recent years, which has affected the bounce.

Seamer Tim Southee has enjoyed particular success at Wellington Regional Stadium and the three best bowling figures of his career have come at the ground.

He was nearly unplayable last month as he tore through England to register 7-33 - the best figures by a New Zealander in one-day cricket.

"When you go out on a ground where you've performed well you do feel good about it," Hesson said.

Paceman Adam Milne, who missed New Zealand's victory over Bangladesh in Hamilton last week with a minor shoulder injury, trained yesterday and should be considered for selection on Saturday.

The West Indies are outsiders against the unbeaten New Zealanders, but Hesson did his best to point out that they were worthy foes.

"They're a dangerous side. They're dangerous because you have to prepare for them as if they're going to be at their best and if they are, they've got many, many match-winners."

Opening batsman Chris Gayle, who has been limited with a back injury of late, is their major threat, while all-rounder Darren Sammy, seamer Jerome Taylor and batsman Marlon Samuels are proven performers.

Hesson also threw his support behind batsman Ross Taylor, who has made only one score above 25 at the World Cup. The No4 posted 56 against Bangladesh last Friday but needed 97 balls to do so as he was tied down by the Tigers' bowling.

"He's a big-game player and he's played some crucial hands for us when we've been under pressure," Hesson said. "So Ross spent a lot of valuable time at the wicket the other day and he'll have good training this week and I'm sure he'll do well for us."

Meanwhile, Dimitri Mascarenhas has been appointed as the Black Caps bowling coach for the tour of England in May-June.

Mascarenhas, a former English international who played 20 ODIs, will replace Shane Bond, who will finish at the end of the World Cup.

The 37-year-old from Middlesex is the head coach of the Otago Volts and is an experienced bowling coach, at county, Indian Premier League and Big Bash level.

Mascarenhas is excited about being involved in international cricket again.

"After being in New Zealand for only a year, to have an opportunity like this come up is pretty special and I am honoured to be chosen for this position," he said. "Bondy [Shane Bond] has done an extremely good job with his bowling unit ... and I am looking forward to working with those guys to keep developing them ..."

Southee tops in south
7-33 v England; February 2015
5-33 v Pakistan; January 2011
4-36 v Australia; March 2010

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