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New Zealand`s “street-smart” cricketers can find a way to beat England and guarantee their semi-final place at the T20 World Cup, coach Rob Walters said on Thursday. A win for New Zealand in Friday`s night`s Super Eights clash in Colombo will see them top Group 2 and join the already-qualified England in the final four.
A defeat would leave the door ajar for Pakistan to beat eliminated Sri Lanka on Saturday with the second semi-final berth then being decided on net run rate. Mitchell Santner`s New Zealand were in trouble at 84-6 against Sri Lanka on Wednesday before the captain steered them to 168-7 and a thumping 61-run win which knocked out the co-hosts.
“I think if you look historically at the Black Caps, you would probably say that they`re a team that have been great problem solvers,” Walters told reporters. “They are street smart, they find a way to understand the conditions quickly. “It`s certainly something that we pride ourselves on. We can adapt to conditions quickly and find a method.”
England are the only team to secure a place in the semi-finals so far after skipper Harry Brook`s match-winning century against Pakistan. New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is aware of England`s threat. “You`re always confident going into these fixtures, especially when we know what the surface is going to be like,” said Ravindra, who took four wickets against Sri Lanka. “But I think it`d be silly to underestimate England at any point. “They`re obviously such a quality unit and they`ve shown this in how well they`ve been bowling. “They`ve got world-class batters throughout their order.”
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