WE’RE READY TO PLAY RUFF

Underdog tag fine by us, says Williamson

NEW ZEALAND are relishing their status as massive underdogs in today’s World Cup Final.

The Black Caps have been written off against an England outfit heading to Lord’s on the back of a three- match winning streak.

In contrast, the Kiwis stumbled over the line in the group stages after losing their way following an impressive start.

But they upset India in the semi-final to underline the threat they will pose.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson said: “A lot of people say we’re underdogs, which is great, and I think England deserve to be favourites for the final.

“Coming into the tournament, they hey were favourites from m the start and they’ve ve been playing g real ly good cricket.

“B u t whatever dog we are, it’s just t important that at we focus on the cricket that we want to play.

“We have seen over the years that anybody can beat anybody – regardless of breed of dog.”

On the prospect of outwitting the English bulldog and being a party-pooper on such a big occasion for English cricket, Williamson said: “We are really looking forward to the occasion and focusing on the match.

“You know you will have to deal with a number of different things, whether it’s dif ferent moments of pressure, whether it’s different moments of momentum. We are prepared for it all.” If Williamson is happy for England to have the burden of being heavy favourites, he doesn’t think they face more pressure than his team.

“There is different pressure on everybody, whether you are favourites or not,” he said.

“Nothing is promised in this game.

“You all have different bits of pressure and how you treat it can be a big part of what happens.”

Many observers believe the crucial contest of today’s final will be Eng l and ’ s barnstorming openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow (below) against in-form New Zealand bowlers Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson.

“Those two have been fantastic throughout the competition for England and there is a huge h amount of resp respect for the match- ma winners th they have in their s i d e ,” sai d Williamson.

“But there are a number of o other parts to p playing in a Wor World Cup Final. “The focus for us is very much about the cricket we want to play. We have seen through the tournament that anybody can beat anybody.

“So, peeling it back, it’s the small moments and mucking in as a group, which is something we have done well throughout the campaign.”

Williamson is one of five players who were in the New Zealand side that lost in the 2015 World Cup Final, but he doesn’t believe that will help or hinder his team this time.

“This is a very different tournament and we have a very different group. We just want to be proud of the performance this time.”