Rob Nicol hopes to forge something with someone in the group against West Indies in the final ODI © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Auckland: Jul 16, 2012
New Zealand opener Rob Nicol feels playing for Black Caps means facing criticism and said that the only way to remain sanguine when dealing with an unforgiving public and media scrutiny is by staying positive.
The Kiwis will look to win the fifth and final ODI against the West Indies after conceding the series.
"That's something that you've always got to [focus] on because, in this day and age, you've got critiquing from every from every point of view, even from within your own side.
"If you're not positive yourself then you're never going to get any enjoyment out of the game. At the end of the day, that's what we're there for.
"The reality of it is, pretty much the whole series I've gotten myself into a position to be able to push on for the side and then gotten out.
"I'm steadily finding my feet (at international level). But I'm a realist - I know that timing's of the essence and I need to start producing scores of 100-plus for this side.
Nicol said coach John Wright had extolled the benefits of batting in partnerships, and that was his aim for the rest of the tour.
"I'm really hoping that I can forge something with someone in the group tomorrow, and further on afield if I get the opportunity.
"If a couple of things went our way, we could've maybe gotten over the line and been fighting for a series instead.
"Obviously, you can always dissect a game massively and there's all sorts of positions you can hope to change.
"But, in reality, in the heat of the moment you've just got to go with your gut.
"I think that we're slowly getting there and hopefully tomorrow we can get over the line,: Nicol was quoted saying by Otago Daily Times.
