New Zealand head coach Gary Stead, on Thursday (October 21), insisted that the back-to-back losses in the warm-up matches against England and Australia will not affect the Black Caps’ chances in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.
After suffering a three-wicket loss to Australia on October 18 in their first ICC T20 World Cup 2021 warm-up game, the Black Caps suffered another narrow defeat of 13 runs against England in their second warm-up match on Wednesday, October 22, in Abu Dhabi.
Reacting to the T20 World Cup warm-up losses, Stead said New Zealand is on the right track and was pleased that the Kiwi players got some match time under extremely humid conditions during the warm-ups ahead of their tournament opener against Pakistan on October 26.
Stead told reporters from Abu Dhabi: “Really, the three games (including one against the Netherlands last week) for us have just been about getting everyone some match time.”
He further added, “It's been making sure we've slotted people in roles they might play, and managing our bowlers as well. Three games in five days might not sound much but when you have the heat and humidity that have here, it's pretty sapping.”
Meanwhile, the New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who had recently sustained an elbow injury, was rested for the warm-up match against England and Stead said it was just for providing him a better atmosphere and some rest for being fit throughout the T20 World Cup 2021.
The head coach further added, “Kane's elbow flared up a bit after the (Australia) match so today was more precautionary than anything. We just feel if we can get his preparation right and not over-hitting and aggravating it in training, that gives him the best chance of being right throughout the tournament. I think, on the whole, we're tracking really well.”
Stead has also made it clear that Williamson might have to be rested at some point during New Zealand’s three group matches that will be played in the space of five days.
He signed off by saying, “There's always that chance, but we're still pretty hopeful and confident that if we get (his) rest right now, then he should be right to play.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
