New Zealand has been one of the most consistent sides in the 50-over World Cup, having reached the final in the last two editions and the semi-finals eight times otherwise.
However, more often than not, they are tagged as underdogs, perpetually underrated. Not many seem to give them a chance to secure a spot in the semifinals, leave alone in the final, but the team remains focused on the task at hand, unfazed by what the world thinks of them.
“We’re not necessarily focused on what people are predicting,” says Tom Latham, the stand-in New Zealand skipper on the eve of their World Cup opener against England.
India, England, and Australia have been the majority choices as semifinalists, with some suggesting Pakistan or South Africa as potential fourth team making it to the knock-out stage. “From our point of view, we’re solely focused on what we have to do. The brand of cricket that we want to play is our main focus, and when it comes towards the end of the tournament, if we’re in those positions, then that’s great,” reckons the wicketkeeper-batsman.
The general perception is that this England side, under Jos Buttler, is much better than they were under Eoin Morgan in 2019. The New Zealanders are coming off a one-day series against England, and for the record, they lost to the defending champions 1-3. Notably, however, that World Cup final remains the talk of the town, ahead of the opening game in Ahmedabad.
“It’s a question that always pops up, but I think from our point of view, we’re solely focused on the job at hand tomorrow (the tournament opener between England and New Zealand).” says Latham, who was part of the memorable 2019 final. “We’ve had time to certainly reflect on what a fantastic game it was four years ago, and I’m sure everyone will say it’s probably one of the greatest games of cricket to have been played.”
Kane Williamson, the team’s regular skipper, will be missing from the starting lineup on Thursday, and the stand-in captain says Williamson (who underwent surgery due to an injury sustained in the IPL opener in March), being here is, in itself, a big deal. “Any team that doesn’t have Kane in it is obviously, you know, we’d certainly be better off having him, but I think from our point of view, for him to be here, to be at the World Cup, is a testament to the work he has put in over the last four to five months.”
Latham has never played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the colossal venue that can be intimidating with its size and scale. However, the Kiwi says it can’t get any better than playing at this venue against England, in the opener. “To play the opening game here at an amazing stadium is pretty special. So it’s a unique experience being played here in India, and it’s obviously a fantastic place to play cricket. I’m really excited to get underway tomorrow,” he says, singing off, “To play against a fantastic England side in a World Cup opener is really special, so it can’t get much better than that.”
