The lack of a collective, good quality lead-up for New Zealand's tour of the West Indies is a fact of modern cricket life, according to outgoing national coach John Wright.
New Zealand head to the Caribbean on Sunday for a trip including two T20s in Florida, five ODIs and two tests.
A fast bowling group is in Brisbane, but there's been nothing else in place for the rest of the squad, who have been left largely to their own preparatory devices.
Batsmen Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson have had stints at Derbyshire and Gloucestershire respectively in English county cricket. Wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk has been playing in Scotland, new fast bowler Neil Wagner has been in South Africa, middle order batsman Dean Brownlie in Perth.
"That's the modern environment," Wright said.
"It is a little bit problematic. We'll be in Miami for about five days and we've really got to hit the ground running, and hope there's no hiccups.
"You just have to practise with a bit of purpose under good conditions and mentally you can do quite a lot. It's just the expectations of getting the mind ready to play, trusting yourselves, being positive and having confidence."
Wright said there had been hopes of more time together before flying out, suggesting some time together in the warmer climes of Queensland, would have been beneficial.
"But resources are tight and we've got to accept that and get on with it," he said.
"There's a lot of cricket coming up for these boys so they'll go in fresh. They may be a bit rusty early on and we probably have to expect that."
That said, Wright won't hear of excuses if things go wrong in the West Indies.
"We'll work together, fight hard and endeavour to get the right results."
Guptill fractured a little finger in England but Wright said should be fit to fly out at the weekend.
The only other injury concern is Wellington fast bowler Mark Gillespie, who made a sparkling return against South Africa last summer. Gillespie has an ankle injury, but has more time to recover as he is only in the test squad, who are involved in the latter part of the tour. The first test is not starting in Antigua until July 26.
Wright finishes his term as national coach after the West Indies tour and has nothing lined up after that.
"That's the lot of a coach. You can't be a coach unless you've got a team," he quipped.
"You have those periods of uncertainty, but then in some ways its exciting. I haven't actively pursued it to be honest. I just want to be a very good job on this tour."
The tour starts with the first T20 in Lauderhill, 30km from Miami, on July 1 (NZT).
- David Leggat
