NZ must adapt quickly to SL wickets: Mark Chapman

COLOMBO, FEB 20: New Zealand can adapt quickly to switching to Sri Lankan pitches in the T20 World Cup after playing all their matches so far in India, said batsman Mark Chapman on Friday.

New Zealand open their Super Eight campaign against Pakistan in Colombo on Saturday, ahead of matches against Sri Lanka and England at the same venue. Pace, bounce and spin in Colombo will be markedly different to Chennai and Ahmedabad, where New Zealand played their group matches, but Chapman said the players knew all about the variation in pitch conditions.

"I think guys understand what they need to do on slower wickets after playing in India where pitches were batting friendly," said the middle-order batsman.

"So, we're pretty confident that we'll face up to whatever conditions are in front of us. A lot of the guys have played a lot of cricket here before."

Pakistan have played all their four matches in Sri Lanka and have a potent spin attack. Chapman was confident New Zealand can handle Pakistan's spinners, including the unorthodox Usman Tariq, who pauses in his delivery stride and bowls with deceptive variation, including side-arm.

"Obviously, Tariq has a pretty unique action with the way that he stops at the crease and that's something to factor in," said Chapman.    �"AFP