With only three games remaining in the ODI World Cup 2023, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the semi-finals and the final of the marquee event. The first semi-final will see India take on New Zealand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday, November 15.
Ahead of the much-awaited clash, New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson expressed confidence in his team’s bowling unit, despite the absence of Matt Henry, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a torn right hamstring. Ferguson hailed the experience of Tim Southee, believing that his familiarity with Indian conditions would be an asset to the team.
“We look good here. Matt Henry is obviously a big hole in our side, but we’re still a handsome bunch without Matt Henry,” Ferguson stated during a media interaction ahead of New Zealand’s training session at the Wankhede Stadium.
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“I will take that on the chin, but from a cricket point of view, Tim Southee brings a lot of experience. Obviously, being captain of the Test team, captain in the T20s and one-dayers too, that experience counts for a lot. He has also played a lot in India, which is great too,” Lockie Ferguson added.
Ferguson acknowledged that most of the venues in the ODI World Cup 2023 have been high-scoring and emphasized the importance of reading the pitch conditions accurately. He hinted at various plans in place for the Blackcaps, but stressed that execution on the day of the match would be crucial.
“A lot of Indian grounds have been high-scoring. That’s the nature of one-day cricket in this part of the world. It’s trying to understand what the pitch will be like and read what a good score on it is because those big overs, 10 runs here or there, can cost you at the back end of the innings,” Lockie Ferguson explained.
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“At the same time, it’s not up to me, and we have to play the game on the day. Whatever it might be – bat or bowl first – we’ve got plans for that. It’s important to stick to them. Obviously, it’s nice to bowl under lights, nice to see when the ball does move around a bit, and it brings us into the game. We’ll have to play it as we see it come game day, but I’m looking forward to it,” Lockie Ferguson concluded.
