When New Zealand takes the field against England at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi on Wednesday (March 30) for the ICC World T20 2016 semifinal between the sides, it will be playing at its fifth different venue. England, in contrast, has had good experience of playing at the national capital. Kane Williamson, though, doesn't think for a minute that his side is at a disadvantage.
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“We've been able to see more of India than most opposition sides,” said the New Zealand captain, smiling. “The guys embraced it.”
This has typified New Zealand’s approach to the game in the last couple of years. What for some teams might be considered hurdles are simply learning experiences for the New Zealanders, with a captain who, like his predecessor, refuses to be drawn into a negative frame of mind.
Now England beckons, a side beginning to peak at the right time. England has not, however, cruised through easily, each match becoming a tussle - and often of its own making. After losing its opening match against West Indies, the chase against South Africa showed just how talented, flexible and powerful the batting lineup is, so much so that Kevin Pietersen - who helped lead England to its first T20 triumph in 2010 - believes that alone could win the team the trophy.
Source: ICC Cricket
It narrowly escaped defeat against Afghanistan before a thrilling encounter versus Sri Lanka where the death bowling (by Chris Jordan and Ben Stokes) clawed back a victory which Sri Lanka itself had stolen in the middle overs. It was a notable win, too, for the fielding; Stokes nailed a run-out, took an important catch, and Joe Root - so dominant with bat in his hand - took a crucial diving catch at mid-off to crush Sri Lankan hearts.
Teams (likely)
England: Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (capt), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (capt), Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott , Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitch Santner, Adam Milne/Nathan McCullum, Mitch McClenaghan, Ish Sodhi.
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