New Zealand enter their must-win clash against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, hoping to claim full points to keep their semifinal chances alive. They will also hope that rain does not play any part in the contest, permitting them to have a fair chance of qualifying for the final four stage of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Addressing the press on Wednesday, captain Kane Williamson said that despite the inclement weather around the focus of the side was to do well in all three departments of the game on Thursday.
“Yeah, I mean there’s lots of things that we can’t control and the weather is one of those. You mentioned that there might be some of it, there may be a thought in the back of your mind, but at the end of the day, our focus will be on the cricket that we want to play and trying to put all our focus and energy into that,” he said.
Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts.
A concern for New Zealand in this tournament so far has been the new ball of Trent Boult, who has claimed 10 wickets in eight matches, so far. Williamson, however, felt that had more to do with conditions in the second half of the innings.
“Yeah, I mean, without a doubt, he’s world-class and there’s probably a few factors there. The second half or a few of these games that we’ve had, the pitches have been very good and players have been playing really well. And perhaps whether you’re playing day games or night games.”
“It can be quite dependent on the assistance you might get as well with the new ball. So, there are a lot of factors, but ultimately, it’s about looking to adapt and adjust your game,” he said.
A star performer for the Kiwis at this tournament has been Rachin Ravindra, who is the currently third-highest run-getter with 523 runs in eight matches. Williamson praised the all-rounder, saying that to do as well as he has in a role that he was not accustomed to was amazing.
“Look, clearly an amazing talent and sort of just entered the side and in the international arena and to walk into a World Cup and not just any World Cup but here in India and in a lot of ways come into a role that perhaps when he’s had exposure in our team, he hasn’t played in that opening sort of top three, top order spot and do what he’s done is amazing.”
“We sort of knew the talent was there, but to come out and repeat and be one of the players of the tournament so far, not only with the bat, but he’s also making really valuable contributions with the ball. Yeah, very, very special player and great that he’s on our side.”
Incredibly special knock- Williamson on Maxwell’s heroics
The talk of the ODI World Cup in the last 12-18 hours has been around Glenn Maxwell’s sensational 201 not out off 128 balls against Afghanistan and reacting to the performance, Williamson said it was an incredible innings and one of Australia’s greatest ODI World Cup wins.
“Yeah, an incredibly special knock. Yeah, not just obviously the runs specifically but the situation and he was clearly struggling physically and to be able to pull that off and in a partnership with Pat Cummins is without a doubt one of the great World Cup victories for Australia and probably for any team to witness,” Williamson said.
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