ICC World Cup 2023: Injury-ridden Kiwis keen to get back against Pakistan

NZ’s in-form batsman Rachin Ravindra (left) checks his bat as stand-in skipper Tom Latham looks on at Bangalore yesterday. Pic/AFP

Professional sport is about making your opponent do things that make them uncomfortable as much as it is about playing to your own strengths. If a boxer has tremendous stamina but a weak chin, then there is no point trying to take the bout to 12 rounds. Go for the knockout at the first opportunity. Twice in the span of five days, New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and asked his opponents to bat first. Australia piled on 388 in Dharamshala, whereas South Africa plundered 357 in Pune.

Matt Henry ruled out

It's been a World Cup of two halves for the Kiwis. Four wins in a row followed by three losses. They have also been unlucky with a series of injuries. Not as unlucky as Sri Lanka, but a close second. Unfortunately, Matt Henry's World Cup is now over, and Kyle Jamieson has replaced him in the squad. Kane Williamson (thumb), Mark Chapman (calf), Lockie Ferguson (achilles) and James Neesham (wrist) are all being monitored. The situation was so bad in Pune that fielding coach James Foster and batting coach Luke Ronchi were both kitted up to take the field in case there was another injury.

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The good news is that at the business end of the tournament, New Zealand's destiny is still in their own hands. Win the next two and they go through to the semis comfortably. Lose the next one… well, that's when the calculators will be working overtime to see who goes through.

At the pre-match press conference, Daryl Mitchell focused a lot on the Kiwi style of play which includes never giving up, fighting till the very end, throwing themselves on the field and chasing every ball until it crosses the rope. "If we do the basics right, then the result will take care of itself," he said.

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Mitchell also spoke passionately about the pride within the squad in representing their country on such a big stage.

The Black Caps are up against a Pakistan side who, even after having a whirlwind tournament on and off the field, are still in with a chance of making the semi-finals, but they need to win their remaining two matches and then hope for a whole lot of other results to go their way as well. Anyone who knows anything about Pakistan cricket will know that these are the kind of situations that they thrive in.

Rain can play spoilsport

My weather app tells me that there is a 68 per cent chance of rain here today with thunderstorms predicted in the afternoon. It's a day game, and if rain does play spoilsport, then New Zealand will be the happier of the two teams to share the points. Around 32,000 vociferous fans turned up on a weekday to watch the South Africa versus New Zealand match in Pune. Knowing how passionate the fans here are, I am sure it's going to be an amazing spectacle.

Rahul Patil, a Wellington-based Indian-born writer, is following NZ's fortunes at this World Cup