Black Caps make believers of us all
Plenty doubted them but the Black Caps’ faith in their ability propelled them to cricket’s biggest stage, a World Cup final at Lord’s.
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson said his team showed great mental strength to beat India by 18 runs in their Cricket World Cup semifinal at Old Trafford yesterday.
The victory, in what was a gripping but bizarre game played over two days, was one in which New Zealand had to hold their nerves when batting.
Then, after a few key wickets when bowling, the Blacks Caps kept the pressure on to always be the team most likely to win.
‘‘A brilliant fighting effort from our guys on what was another tough surface and it required that mentality,’’ Williamson said.
‘‘It was really important that we’re prepared to do that and stay in the game for a long time. We all know the class side that India are.’’
When play was ended after the first day with New Zealand at 211-5 and 23 balls left to face, most pundits said they hadn’t scored enough runs and would pay the price for being too conservative.
But it turned out Williamson was on the money with his take on the wicket.
‘‘At the halfway stage, we sort of wanted 240, 250,’’ he said.
‘‘We knew we would be competitive
if we got that because the surface played the way it did.
‘‘But then to have the start with the ball that we had [India being 5-3] was an outstanding way to try and kick things off and try and get into a position of
strength.
‘‘The way the bowlers and the fielders operated throughout on a big field, on a surface which they had to adapt differently again, was a great effort.’’
This game will be remembered
for the knocks of 67 by Williamson and 74 from Ross Taylor in the New Zealand innings, plus the early breakthroughs with the ball by Matt Henry and Trent Boult.
However, there were two other players who had massive impacts. Firstly, there was the stunning diving catch made by Jimmy Neesham to get rid of Dinesh Karthik, then Guptill’s throw to run out MS Dhoni, when he had just one wicket in view.
‘‘We all know the game is a fine line in a number of ways, but that run-out was significant,’’ Williamson said. ‘‘It was a tough surface so nothing was promised but naturally, to dismiss Dhoni in whatever fashion is extremely important, but for a direct hit run-out . . . I think was a big moment in the game.’’
Few were picking New Zealand to win the game before it started.
They entered the semifinals on the back of three straight losses, while India finished the round robin part of the tournament on top.
Despite this, Williamson said he never stopped believing in this team. ‘‘There’s so much more to winning and losing, he said.
‘‘It’s really important that as a side you identify parts of matches where you may have not done things that well and parts perhaps that were out of your control that went the way of the opposition and try and look at it for what it is.’’
Kane Williamson, take a bow all the way to Lord’s. This semifinal win over India was a triumph for the New Zealand team and their captain, whose expert reading of the pitch, composure and control in the field was a leadership masterclass.
That I’m writing this in the Star Sports studio in Mumbai following an incredible New Zealand victory is a challenge. Everyone in the office stood to attention for the Indian national anthem and every wicket or boundary for India was met with loud applause.
To say I am an outlier is fair. To not be evicted from the premises following the victory and ensuing celebrations shows what great sports the Indians are.
It seems like days ago, but when Williamson was batting with Ross Taylor, I was one of those saying they should show more intent.
But, if you look back, our two best players were struggling during that middle phase which showed it was a very tough wicket at Old Trafford. That gave me confidence and certainly gave the partnership confidence as they built and got New
Zealand within sight of 250.
The pitches in general have been average for this World Cup. We came into the tournament thinking 350 was a par score on a batsman’s paradise. It’s been far from that. Now the toss has become too important: you win the toss, on most occasions you bat first, the pitch deteriorates and you win the game.
Most sides would have gone hard at the Indian attack, been bowled out for 150 and complained about the surface. The way Henry Nicholls initially, then Williamson and Taylor batted, although sedately, showed their experience and cricket smarts in assessing and understanding the conditions.
It was a clever tactic, and was led by the captain. New Zealand have played on so many different surfaces throughout the World Cup, they’ve gained from those
experiences. Even on the second morning, Williamson’s counterpart Virat Kohli was happy allowing ones and New Zealand’s batsmen were only looking for ones and twos which suggested they were quite happy with 240. India were happy with that as well, which showed a maturity from New Zealand in understanding conditions in many ways better than India.
I was so happy to see Williamson keep attacking. He kept Matt Henry going for seven overs and he was outstanding and set the tone. We knew that Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson were going to be good, but we needed Henry to stand up – his lengths were exceptional, ultimately he created three chances and changed the game.
Williamson assessed it
‘‘Williamson never let the game drift and that was so vital.’’
Mike Hesson on Kane Williamson, above
beautifully, kept Boult for two spells, which was important, tried Colin de Grandhomme for two overs but didn’t keep milking it when the ball wasn’t nibbling. Then Jimmy Neesham picked up the slack in the middle and at the end.
Williamson never let the game drift and that was so vital. During the home summer we were sometimes critical that the
game was left to drift, and there were always worries about the fifth bowler.
This time Williamson was happy to leave Neesham till towards the end which was an important factor as New Zealand could keep attacking with Boult, Williamson brought him back and removed Ravi Jadeja which halted India’s momentum again.
It was clear that India,
Australia and England all wanted to finish first and play New Zealand in a ‘soft’ semifinal, coming off some poor results.
It shows the confidence New Zealand have in their ability, and the collective approach they apply. Whether we finished first or fourth, you spend nearly six weeks making the semifinals and you have to front up on the day.
It doesn’t matter if you approach it ugly, it’s effective, and we took ego out of the equation. All the other sides have ego, the beauty of New Zealand is we don’t. We’re able to put in a workmanlike performance, albeit with some world-class players.
The players aren’t expected to be special. They’re expected to do their job with freedom and expression that got you to this point. Williamson is very clear about that; he doesn’t want you to be Brian Lara or anybody else.
If you’re Matt Henry, your job is to bowl a scrambled seam, hit a great length and challenge the top order with the new ball. If it’s Martin Guptill it’s to back yourself and attack the opposition. He just asks you to be yourself. As Kiwis that gives us the best chance of winning.
Williamson doesn’t fake it. He doesn’t say push your chest out, just be authentic in what you do and if you do that we back ourselves to beat anybody on our day. It was our day, and that’s a great testament to the leadership and indeed the whole squad.
There weren’t huge celebrations at the end. The players know there’s one more step to go and the beauty with Williamson and indeed the rest of the leaders within the group is they never get ahead of themselves. They are building for something bigger.
* Mike Hesson was head coach of the Black Caps from 2012-2018, and was at the helm for their first World Cup final in 2015. He will be writing regular columns for Stuff during the World Cup.