Thursday 19 March 2015 08:16, UK
New Zealand all-rounder Grant Elliott insists he took little notice of South Africa's emphatic victory over Sri Lanka as the Black Caps prepare for their own World Cup quarter-final against the West Indies.
The winners of Saturday’s game in Wellington will play South Africa in the semi-finals in Auckland next Tuesday.
The Proteas were in imperious form as they crushed Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the first quarter-final in Sydney on Wednesday, but South Africa-born Elliott hardly noticed the game.
"I didn't watch too much. I saw it was quite a convincing win from them," he said.
"We'll concentrate on our game and if we do get to the semi-final then we'll have a look at their team and scout them accordingly."
Elliott, born in Johannesburg, says his South African heritage would have no bearing on how he would feel if New Zealand played the Proteas in the last four.
"I'll just approach it as I would any other game," said Elliott, who played provincial cricket in South Africa before emigrating to New Zealand in 2001.
"Our squad is here to try and win the World Cup as is every other team.
"It's a strong West Indies team and a crunch game. Everyone has got their match-winners so it's about scouting this team and going about our business in exactly the same way as we've approached every other game."
Elliott, who will celebrate his 36th birthday on Saturday, is in the New Zealand side as a bowler, but he is hoping for a quiet day in the field.
“Generally, if I am bowling we are not doing too well as a unit and we need a breakthrough," he said.
"But if we continue the way Trent (Boult), Timmy (Southee) and Dan (Vettori) have gone about the business I shouldn't need to bowl too many (overs)."
Watch New Zealand v West Indies live from 12.30am on Sky Sports World Cup on Saturday.
