CWC 2023: New Zealand ready to counter challenge of turning pitches during World Cup, says Mitchell Santner

New Zealand have won their first two matches in the ongoing World Cup.

Mitchell Santner | GettyHigh on confidence after beating defending champions England in their World Cup opener, New Zealand on Monday (October 9) thrashed Netherlands by 99 runs in Hyderabad to register their second consecutive victory in the showpiece tournament.

Invited to bat first, the Kiwis racked up a mammoth 322/7 on the board on the back of half-centuries from Will Young (70), Tom Latham (53) and Rachin Ravindra (51).

Defending the total, New Zealand bundled out the Dutch side for 223 in 46.3 overs. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner starred with the ball as he returned with the figures of 5 for 59 in his 10 overs.

After the game, Santer said Black Caps are ready to prove their mettle on turning pitches in India during the World Cup.

New Zealand are due to face Bangladesh in their next match on Friday (October 13) at Chepauk, which is also known for assisting the spinners.

"We knew that going into the tournament that Chennai has that nature of being a bit spinny and it did, especially in the first innings the other night," said Santer of the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

New Zealand will also play Afghanistan at the same venue in Chennai, and Santner acknowledged that both Bangladesh and Afghanistan have good players of spin in their ranks.

"Obviously first is Bangladesh and if it is something similar to the other night, it could be spinning a little bit in the daytime and then start to skid later, so we've got to be prepared for both."

Santner, who earned the Player-of-the-Match award for his stunning exploits against Netherlands, was delighted for the team to have two wins out of two.

"Obviously a nice start, we knew that turning up today after the highs of beating England, we couldn't get too complacent and we knew the Netherlands are a good team," said Santner.

"It's another two points, but you have to move on pretty quickly in this."

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 10 Oct, 2023

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