So many often remark that the boundaries in NZ are so short.. Its even a big hashtag now. Wonder if Kiwi players gain an advantage on how bat, bowl and field in them coz they are used to it, similar to how Australia tend to take advantage of the huge outfields when teams tour over there.
The natural reaction is to get up in arms about the short boundaries but Eden Park absolutely suits us more than any other ground in the world does, arguably.
Kane aside, and Elliott when he gets runs, our guys aren't accumulators. We know on that ground, if we get bogged down for 3-4 balls there's always a get out of jail free card 50m in front of us. Gup uses it tremendously well and good luck to him - it's not his fault that administrators keep booking us in on a ground that is a farce for international cricket. Hence why his record is so good there (not convinced he averages well there because he owns property in the area). I suppose we saw that in the WC final where he scored 15 off 48, with nerves and didn't have that straight hit card on him.
At the death, we know we can be six down and our lower order (I include Ronchi in this) can access that boundary and get us to a stronger total.
And it has nothing to do with Australia yesterday or in the World Cup, because we pitched it up and knocked guys over. But in a general sense, especially T20s, we're very hard to beat there because we're more accustomed to where to get hit and the lengths to bowl. Opposition sides seem to have the best of intentions but their natural tendency is to go fuller every now and then without thinking too much about it.
But Eden Park aside, the 'smaller' grounds ie Hamilton, Wellington require proper cricket at all times. So I don't see a tremendous advantage there. And if there is, well that's touring cricket.