Fast bowler Tim Southee feels that losing in their respective tournament openers will make both India and New Zealand desperate to outdo each other, leading to an exciting contest between the two “very good sides”. The 20 World Cup promises to be a Super 12 game.
Both India and New Zealand had lost to Pakistan in their first match of the tournament. whereas Virat KohliThe Key Men lost their first Group 2 match by 10 wickets, with the Black Caps losing by five wickets.
And the Kiwi pacer said that come Sunday, both the injured sides will be eager to open their places in the showpiece.
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“They (India) are a quality side. They have shown that they will be eager to win even after years and years of defeat. So, it should be a big competition against two very good sides,” Saudi said after the practice session on Friday.
“It’s always tough in the first game. We went a long way against a good Pakistan team but we need to go ahead in such a short tournament. There are no easy games so now it is about focusing on India. “
Southee, who took his 100th T20 wicket in the loss against Pakistan, said the need of the hour was to adapt to the conditions and the wickets.
New Zealand will play at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium for the first time during the competition, while India lost their opener at the same ground.
“We knew that coming here is different from the way we play in New Zealand. So, you have to adapt to those conditions, you have to adjust to the three bases as well.
“They provide different support for the fast bowlers. We saw slow deliveries in Sharjah and the back off length worked. In Dubai, the pace of the wicket is a bit higher and it seems to be a better wicket,” he observed.
When asked about his 100 T20 wicket milestone, Southee said: “It’s good when you play for a while and get to a milestone. Not many people have done so till now because of T20’s not being there for a very long time.
“Not only T20, but all three formats. It is a challenge to keep pace with all the three formats and to be able to do so for a long period of time is quite satisfying.
“Looking at ways to improve my game, adapt to different conditions, different formats is something I have seen over the years. Hopefully there are many more years to come,” he said.
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