For someone who is more comfortable dancing down the wicket and smashing the ball over extra cover, Brendon McCullum can sure play a straight bat.
The Black Caps are at very short odds for today's World Cup fixture against Scotland at the University Oval but McCullum is keen to emphasise there are no guarantees in cricket.
He was also not letting any team secrets slip yesterday. Asked if the Black Caps might take the opportunity to rest a few players, McCullum proved tight-lipped.
''We are going to play our cards pretty close to our chest with our team but all the guys are fit and available and that is a good space for us to be in'' he said.
While it might be tempting to stick with a winning combination, it is a long tournament and it is likely there will be at least a few changes to the bowling line-up.
Spinner Nathan McCullum will need a bowl and could come in as a replacement for veteran left-arm tweaker Daniel Vettori.
Fast bowler Adam Milne may also sit the match out with perhaps Mitchell McClenaghan or Kyle Mills taking his spot.
Back-up batsman Tom Latham could get an opportunity, although coach Mike Hesson will probably want to stick with his top batting line-up, which is performing so well.
Martin Guptill needs the time in the middle. McCullum hates missing matches. Ross Taylor missed out in the 98-run win over Sri Lanka in Christchurch, so he will be keen for a tilt against Scotland. Kane Williamson's ability to bowl a few overs may count against him being rested.
Whoever takes the field for the Black Caps, there certainly will not be any room for complacency.
Scotland toured Australia and New Zealand in September and October as part of its World Cup preparation and was very unlucky not to topple a powerful New Zealand XI line-up featuring nine members of the Black Caps World Cup squad.
''They gave us a good run for our money at Lincoln a few months ago, so we've got to make sure we are on our game and treat it as if we are playing one of the bigger teams as well because in this World Cup ... the associate teams certainly have players which are capable of standing up and making things pretty uncomfortable for you.''
While respectful of Scotland, McCullum said the Black Caps were focused on their own performance.
''We are not good enough to take any team for granted. We know what works for us and we know how we can go about trying to get that performance.
''Our thoughts are making sure we turn up and bring our best game to the ground. Whether you are the favourites or underdogs is irrelevant once the game starts.''
If Brendon's brother, Nathan, does play, it will be a nice moment for the McCullum family. Neither brother lives in Dunedin these days but Brendon still considers it his home town.
''I have a lot of memories from growing up in Dunedin and playing on that ground out there and this ground here,'' he said, gesturing to the fields either side of the University Oval.
''I've had many great times down here and to be able to come back and now play in such a significant game ... is something I'm really proud of. Hopefully, I can perform and make a sizeable contribution and make it that much more special.''
Black Caps v Scotland
University Oval, today, 11am
TEAMS
Black Caps: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (captain), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan, Trent Boult, Tom Latham, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne.
Scotland: Kyle Coetzer, Richie Berrington, Frederick Coleman, Matt Machan, Matthew Cross, Preston Mommsen, Joshua Davey, Alasdair Evans, Majid Haq, Calum Macleod, Iain Wardlaw, Robert Taylor, Safyaan Sharif, Hamish Gardiner, Michael Leask.
THE FACTS
• New Zealand and Scotland have played two previous ODIs, with the Black Caps winning both games comfortably.
• The sides first played during the 1999 World Cup at the Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh. Scotland batted first, posting a paltry 121. All-rounder Chris Harris took four for seven and strike bowler Geoff Allott took three for 15. Roger Twose scored a rapid and undefeated 54 to help New Zealand record a six-wicket win.
• The only other encounter was also in Scotland, where the home side scored 101. Jacob Oram and Grant Elliott grabbed three wickets apiece and Ross Taylor whacked an undefeated 61 from 41 deliveries to seal an eight-wicket win.
• Scotland is playing in its third World Cup and is yet to pick up a win at the tournament.
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