MUMBAI – New Zealand spinner Nathan McCullum would rather be miserly in giving away runs than be greedy for wickets during the World Cup. The off-spinner, elder brother of Brendon, will be happy to give away 40-45 runs off his 10 overs and take any wickets that come by as a bonus.
“My role for this team is to work hard and try and go for 40-45 runs off my 10 overs and if I pick up one or two wickets then I do … Especially with having a role with the bat as well,” he told reporters on Thursday. “Other people have other roles like if they are big wicket-takers as in the Sri Lankan side with (Muttiah) Muralitharan. “But at the end of the day I think his job is still to go for 40-45 off his 10 overs and then if he takes a few wickets, it’s great.”
McCullum denied there was any extra pressure on him in the absence of captain and frontline spinner Daniel Vettori, who is still recovering from a knee injury. “I don’t think the role changes at all. I think it means I have to be a little bit more consistent and be more aware of the fact that I have to fulfil my role to the full extent,” he summed up.
NZ call-up Tuffey for Mills cover: New Zealand called up seamer Daryl Tuffey into their World Cup squad on Wednesday as cover for the injured Kyle Mills. Tuffey is expected to join the team in Mumbai on Friday when the Black Caps, who have already made sure of their quarter-final place, face Sri Lanka in their last Group A match.
“With Kyle Mills suffering from a quad strain we felt it was important to cover our bases,” said New Zealand selector Mark Greatbatch. “The medical team are working hard to get Kyle fit and we are hopeful he will still play a big part in the World Cup so bringing in Daryl is a precaution.
“Getting Daryl over to India early gives him the best chance of adjusting to the different time zone and conditions should he become part of the official squad.” The 32-year-old Tuffey has played 94 one-day internationals, taking 110 wickets.
