(AFP Photo)
Mitchell Santner has conceded that New Zealand’s preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 have faced significant challenges.
The Black Caps are among the three teams, alongside England and Pakistan, who have chosen to forego warm-up matches ahead of the main competition. However, both England and Pakistan recently engaged in a four-match T20I series that concluded on May 30.
Rather than opting for warm-up fixtures, New Zealand has intensified their training regimen. This decision was not a strategic choice but rather a necessity due to logistical constraints. The team had to contend with players arriving in three separate batches owing to their commitments in the IPL. As a result, they focused on training sessions to ready themselves for the World Cup. Their preparation journey began in Trinidad before transitioning to Guyana, where they are set to commence their campaign against Afghanistan on June 8.
Mitchell Santner reflected on the somewhat chaotic start to New Zealand’s journey, with players arriving at different times. Despite the challenges, he appreciated the opportunity to spend a few days at home before joining the team in Trinidad. However, their training in Trinidad was disrupted by rain. Now in Guyana, they have a solid week to prepare for their first match.
Santner also mentioned the renowned West Indian hospitality and the anticipation of experiencing it firsthand. Despite the absence of warm-up games and the disjointed arrival of players, they now have the chance to settle in Guyana as the tournament kicks off. With the competition beginning soon, they aim to observe the initial matches, assess the pitch conditions, especially in Guyana, and tailor their preparations accordingly for their opening game.
Mitchell Santner shared insights into the hurdles faced by the New Zealand team during the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Expanding on the topic, Mitchell Santner delved into the obstacles encountered by teams in the T20 World Cup due to the varied conditions. The tournament spans nine venues, encompassing six in the Caribbean and three in the USA. Considering New Zealand’s upcoming matches against teams like Uganda and Papua New Guinea, Santner highlighted the tournament’s unpredictability, emphasizing the element of the ‘unknown’.
“It’s obviously good to watch [the first few games]. I think that’s going to be a common theme in the World Cup, you know, different places will play very differently,” he said. “Traditionally, Guyana can be a little bit slow and Trinidad can be pretty good. America is going to be different. So teams have to assess and adapt quickly throughout the whole tournament.
“It’s going to be massive. There is a little bit of an unknown with some of these teams. We obviously know what West Indies are capable of doing, but we are not really sure of the other guys.
“There will be a bit of prep going into each game, scouting, video stuff of what we can get and we just have to stick to what we want to do throughout the whole tournament – every game assess, adapt and the things we talk about leading into each game which is going to be massive,” he added.
New Zealand are drawn in Group C along with co-hosts West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea. The Black Caps are eyeing their maiden T20 World Cup title this year.