Rob Walter: Black Caps coach on the three-test series against the West Indies

Coach Rob Walter is comfortable with how the Black Caps are tracking heading into the three-test series against the West Indies, beginning today at Hagley Oval. 

New Zealand is fresh from overcoming the West Indies by a combined 6 games to one in the two white ball series. 

While Walter was pleased to get the results, he reckons the Black Caps can still improve as a cohesive group. 

He told Mike Hosking they’re not expecting the West Indies to be a pushover.  

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The summer of cricket gets underway, so we got the
short term stuff that's all sorted out, the tests to
hear the real deal New Zealand Windys. Of course, Hagley
oval no better place to play cricket in this country.
Rob Walters, the black Caps coach, and as well, it's
Rob morning to you. I'm a bit worried about the weather,
should I be?

Speaker 2 (00:16):
It's not looking too flash at the moment, it's not
raining heavily overcast, but hoping that that's going to move
on and we're going to get some playing.

Speaker 1 (00:23):
What sort of pitchure we got.

Speaker 2 (00:27):
It looks pretty good, not as green as you normally
arrived to here at Hagley, but still hoping for good
home conditions pitch.

Speaker 1 (00:37):
Without putting too fine a point on it, might the
Windys be a bit better at test cricket than they
are at the other forms, as we found out so far.

Speaker 2 (00:45):
I certainly think so. I think, you know, if you
track the performances through India, they kept getting better in
tough conditions there. Know they've managed to create a few
upsets along the last twelve months. In test creet They've
got a nice bowling unit and certainly some players who
probably find their space better and test cricket, so I
wouldn't expect it just to be a pushover there for sure.

Speaker 1 (01:08):
Are the guys can big able? I mean you're seeing
what sort of the ashes? I mean, we're not going
to have a two day are we?

Speaker 2 (01:15):
Certainly hope not.

Speaker 1 (01:18):
How do the players compartmentalize and is it an issue
or are you already thinking about things like England and
T twenties and World Cups and stuff like that.

Speaker 2 (01:28):
No, I think you know, players have become pretty used
to swapping in and out of different formats, and I
must say this team is particularly good at being with
their feet are and focusing specifically on this test. I mean,
you always have one eye on, you know, the pinnacle
event that you're either part of a building towards you
obviously have to, but it's but it's in the background

(01:49):
and really focusing, you know, very hard on taking care
of today.

Speaker 1 (01:52):
Firstly, good stuff. You're enjoying the job so far?

Speaker 2 (01:56):
Yeah, loving it. It's an awesome, awesome so far. A
great group of people started, the players.

Speaker 1 (02:01):
Good stuff. That's to catch up. Appreciate it very much.
Rob Walter, who's the Black Cats, head coach. For more
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