New Zealand’s ‘underdog’ status no issue for optimistic Williamson
● Captain relishes opportunity to renew rivalry with Kohli in semi-final
INDIA V NEW ZEALAND
ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final Emirates Old Trafford
Today, 10:30am Live on Sky Sports Cricket
Kane Williamson says every team in the last four of the World Cup is capable of beating the others, and doesn’t care about New Zealand’s status as underdogs.
The Black Caps reached the knockout stage ahead of Pakistan by virtue of their superior net run-rate, finishing fourth in the table to set up a semifinal showdown against India at Old Trafford today.
Williamson said: “Whoever you play, every side has the belief that if you get to this point, you can go all the way. To do that, you basically have to beat everyone.
“It’s one of those occasions where every team works so hard to end up in the last four where to a certain extent it all starts again when the day comes and anything can happen.
“All sides have beaten one another on a number of occasions throughout the last few years, so it’s a really exciting opportunity for all teams.
“Whether we are underdogs or not, it doesn’t really matter. It’s about how we turn up and how we commit to the plans we want to implement and try to play with that freedom.”
Williamson has been New Zealand’s batting linchpin with 481 runs at an average of 96.2, and is the only Kiwi to reach three figures in this tournament, having done so twice.
Ross Taylor is the next best New Zealand batsman on the list, more than 200 runs back, but Williamson insists he is not feeling any undue burden.
He said: “I look at my role as one of 11 guys that try to play their role to the best of their ability.
“I think there’s also been a number of contributions that have been really important in order for us to get where we are right now. Whether that’s a lower score in terms of an individual, it’s still been very significant chasing totals down, which we’ve done well in the earlier stages of the competition.
“From my perspective, it’s going out and trying to play my role as best I can to try to move the team forward and that doesn’t change.”
Williamson and India counterpart Virat Kohli have been the captains of their respective sides in another World Cup semi-final – at under-19 level 11 yearsago.
Kohli claimed the bragging rights on that day and even managed to bag the key wicket of Williamson.
When reminded of that, Williamson said: “Oh dear. He used to be an all-rounder back in the day but he hasn’t bowled as much recently. I guess that’s kind of cool that a few years later we’re here again, perhaps on a slightly different stage.”
Kohli, meanwhile, is content with his understated role in India’s batting line-up but admitted the pressure is constantly on his side.
Kohli has 41 ODI centuries at an average approaching 60 but has yet to reach three figures in this tournament, with Rohit Sharma India’s standout performer with the bat so far.
The opener is the first man to register five centuries and Kohli is happy to defer to his team-mate. He said: “It’s been a different kind of role that I’ve had to play in this World Cup.
“As the captain of this team, I’ve been open to playing any kind of role that the team wants me to. It’s great that Rohit is scoring so consistently. I’ve been very happy with holding one end and letting guys express themselves. I know that I can accelerate in the end. Personal milestones, honestly, is something that no one ever focuses on.
“But I hope he gets two more (hundreds) so that we can win two more games. World Cup is all the more pressure and he’s just been outstanding.”