Jimmy Neesham: "It's an interesting decision. We've shown a preference for chasing in the recent past so I assume that the used wicket looks like it'll slow up in the second innings. If we're defending an above par score then Dan becomes a real threat on a slower wicket with decent sized boundaries."
How much does McCullum's early dismissal change the way Guptill will play his innings?
"Guppy's off to a really good start. I don't think it will change the way he plays at all. The game plan will remain the same: to rotate the strike, see off the new ball and start accumulating. Kane will take a few overs to get settled and start doing the same. The West Indies opening bowlers are by far their biggest wicket taking threat."
Is Kane 'steady the ship' Williamson the hardest Black Caps batsmen to 'get out' in the nets? He looks like he would just never lose focus.
"Kane is definitely extremely demoralising to bowl to in the nets. Sometimes it feels like you're bowling up against a brick wall! It helps that he's normally coming off about an hour's worth of throw downs so he already has his eye in."
How much strategic chat will be going on between overs with Guptill and Williamson?
"There will be idle chat about what each bowler is doing. Sulieman Benn looks to be getting the ball to slow up and turn a bit which is unusual for him historically. The pitch looks very slow even at this early stage so the decision to bat first looks to be the right one. The talk between the wickets differs a lot depending on who's at the crease. Gup and Kane are both quite insular and get in "the zone" when they bat."
There's been a lot of speculation about Ross Taylor's recent drop in form. What's your take on it?
"To be honest I think it's just a media beat up. Ross averages 45 in 2015, 55 since the start of 2014 and 52 since the start of 2013. Those numbers stack up against any player from around the world. Sometimes he can look a bit scratchy at the start of his innings but this is generally true of most batsmen who employ a pre-ball movement. He has been crucial to the game plan NZ has been employing with great success over the recent past."
After 24 overs the Black Caps are cruising at 134-2. What's Mike Hesson thinking?
"Everything is going to plan. Hess will be talking about continuing to rotate the strike and not take any undue risks. If these two can stay together until the powerplay starts at 35 overs then we should be around 180-190. Seven or eight wickets in hand would allow us to have a full 15 overs of death hitting in which you would expect to get 130 plus. That sets us up with an above par total of 320 plus on a slow pitch."
Are there any interesting or quirky superstitions among the Black Caps boys in the pavilion while the side is batting?
"No not particularly. The atmosphere is generally pretty jovial, especially when the game is going like this. Tim will be finding a way to irritate someone, usually Trent. Craig McMillan will be gloating about the most recent batting record that's been broken since he joined the unit."
Let's talk power play. Is there an overall team strategy or do we just take it as it comes?
"The statistics show that the powerplay has become largely irrelevant since the fielders allowed outside the circle was reduced from five to four. The batsmen in the middle largely have the floor when it comes to making that decision, if they want to take it before 35 overs then that's their prerogative. Generally guys like Ronchs and Corey don't worry about about the fielders because the ball goes over them anyway!"
Martin Guptill has the most runs at this World Cup and the records keep tumbling. Would he have been motivated by the pre-tournament knockers or paid it no attention?
"Absolutely. No-one likes waking up in the morning and reading the paper to see your name being dragged through the mud. Different people motivate themselves in different ways, proving people wrong is definitely one of them. Guppy always maintained that he was in good form despite the fact that he wasn't making big scores, and that has proven to be correct."
What's going through Marlon Samuels' head right now? What's it like to drop a player who goes on to a big score?
"It's never a good feeling to drop a catch in any situation. When you drop someone who goes on to make a big score it's one of the worst feelings in sport. Every time he hits a boundary you look up at the scoreboard and work out how many runs you've cost the team. Everyone else understands that it's just a part of the game though and the team moves on quickly."
Does the 36-year-old Daniel Vettori pull out those catches all the time in training? His 'celebration' suggested it was no big deal...
"He actually took a one handed screamer off me in the UAE as well, it's becoming too common to be pure luck! At this stage I'm pretty sure Dan could try his hand at most things and work out a way to be successful. He'll be a huge loss to the team when he decides to call it quits. Partially on the field, but mainly in the dressing room. He's the only man who can keep Tim in check!"
Do you think the West Indies have a legitimate chance at chasing this down?
"I would say that a game is never over as long as Chris Gayle is at the crease, however he'll have to better Guppy's effort and that's hard to see happening while carrying an injury."
What do you make of the tactic of Trent Boult bowling his 10 overs consecutively? Another sign of the aggressive captaincy of Brendon McCullum?
"It's been a consistent plan of ours to search for wickets and to go for the kill in every situation. With the field restrictions the way they are you simply can't afford to let teams get to the final 10 overs with wickets in hand. Corey and Grant are prepared to bowl the death overs if they're required but the team backs the ability of Tim and Trent to roll through teams when the opportunity arises. This is no surprise to any of the players, the game plan was clear from the start of the campaign."
After today's emphatic performance, what's your prediction for the semifinal?
"AB wins the toss and bowls on an overcast Auckland afternoon. The hotdogs leave a lot to be desired, as does the plastic bottled Wild Buck. South Africa begin the chase well but continue to lose wickets through the middle. An inspired finish by Tim and Dan sees us win by 20. I am again surprised and thrilled by the result when I read it in the paper the next day."
