T20 World Cup 2022: “Outstanding throughout this tournament,” Williamson hails his bowlers ahead of semi-final

The Kiwis are due to take on Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final at SCG on November 9.

By Salman Anjum - 08 Nov, 2022

New Zealand are having a great time at the ongoing T20 World Cup in Australia. The Kiwis won three of their five Super 12 matches, lost one while one of their game was washed out. As a result, they finished the group stage at the top with 7 points.

The Kane Williamson-led side will now take on Pakistan in the semi-final at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday (November 9).

Ahead of the big game, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson hailed his bowlers for their consistency in the mega event.

"I mean, they're experienced players for us. They've played for us a long time, whether that's taking wickets or, in particular, adjusting to conditions which certainly we need them to come to tournaments, world events, that's a big part of playing," Williamson said in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday (November 8).

"So they've been outstanding throughout this tournament. And tomorrow we're at another venue against another opposition, and we'll have to make those adjustments again," he added.

New Zealand bowlers namely Tim Southee (6.35), Mitchell Santner (6.43), and Ish Sodhi (6.78) have maintained an economy rate of less than seven in the competition so far. While Lockie Ferguson (8.13) and Trent Boult (7.18) have on the expensive side a bit, they have real wicket-taking forces for the BlackCaps, claiming seven and six scalps respectively.

The Kiwi captain also talked about the venue and the conditions for the semi-final, where they have played twice in this tournament.

"I suppose it's kind of interesting, the first game we played here, the wicket was a very good one. And then the second time we played here it had changed. And sometimes you can take perhaps what you were expecting the wicket to be like in the first game and think it would behave in the same way, which it didn't.

"Whether that's a disadvantage or an advantage, it's sort of hard to know. Both teams have played here. So we need to focus on our cricket really and the plans we want to look to execute and make sure we do adjust to the conditions and try and play smart."

Prior to the T20 World Cup, New Zealand hosted a tri-series, involving Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Williamson-led side lost to Pakistan in the final but he thinks the tri-series will have no relevance in the semi-final encounter.

"I mean, we have a strong team. We know it's going to be a tough match. Both teams are going to play in the semi, playing some good cricket throughout. The past is the past, and I think both teams are looking forward to tomorrow."

New Zealand have been a really consistent side in the ICC tournaments of late. They were the runner-ups in the 2019 ODI World Cup and also in the T20 World Cup last year.

"You come to these tournaments, and as we've seen, all teams can beat each other and it's definitely a pretty exciting event. I guess you're going through it trying to adjust to conditions as quickly as possible, make those changes to the different opposition and really go out and try and express yourselves. It's been nice that we've been able to see that throughout this competition. And certainly, want to be doing that again tomorrow," Williamson concluded.

(t20worldcup.com inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 08 Nov, 2022

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