Shocked Kiwis rally for Aussie game

NAGPUR - New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori is aiming for a World Cup win over Australia to help lift his nation’s spirits after Tuesday’s earthquake in Christchurch claimed the lives of 65 people.

“The greatest thing we can do is beat Australia to hopefully help bring a little relief for the people who are going such a rough time at home,” the Courier Mail quoted Vettori, as saying.

“It’s been a tough day. Five or six of the team and the management crew are based in Christchurch, so it’s been a rough time for them finding out that their families are safe,” he added.

“We all have family or friends in Christchurch, it’s been tough. We are feeling it too and the Canterbury community is in our thoughts and prayers,” Vettori said.

New Zealand’s players, who face defending champions Australia in Nagpur on Friday, regularly used Twitter throughout the day in search of information and to offer condolences.

“Everyone’s families are fine, but quite a numb and flat feeling in the squad,” veteran player Scott Styris wrote. “Training was tough.”

Opening batsman Martin Guptill said the squad’s thoughts were with their compatriots.

“Thoughts go out to the people of Chch today. Terrible thing to have happened again,” Guptill tweeted.

International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat said that an appropriate gesture of respect would be made when New Zealand face Australia. (ANI)