Chilling time before the heat of battle

Outside the team hotel it's more of a divide, a partisan crowd of red and gold easily outnumbering the ones in purple. Somshuvra Laha reports.

Outside the team hotel it's more of a divide, a partisan crowd of red and gold easily outnumbering the ones in purple.

HT Image

Inside though, it's a different world. If you are lucky to get access to the interiors of a hotel four hours before a high-voltage match, you would be surprised to see how none of that buildup affects the players.

You are not allowed upstairs unless you happen to be someone special, but take the right position and you could get a ringside view of all the action. The only way you gauge that a match is due to happen is when you see the umpires chatting animatedly on rules; match referee David Boon wears a stern look as he lights a cigarette next to you.

For the players, it's business as usual - hanging out with friends and family, chilling at the swanky lounge, sipping tea or typing away on their iPads.

Teams in hotel
Opposing teams normally stay in the same hotel. And more often than not, it's a chance for birds of the same feather to flock together. Former NZ captain Daniel Vettori spent a good part of the morning with compatriot Brendon McCullum over breakfast.