04 October,2023 07:20 AM IST | Ahmedabad | Subodh Mayure
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson during the warm-up match against Pakistan ahead of the ODI World Cup, in Hyderabad on Friday. Pic/AFP
The opening game between defending champions England and 2019 World Cup runners-up New Zealand will kick start the 13th edition of the ICC ODI World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.
While the Jos Buttler-led English side will go in with an attacking mindset, it will be interesting to see how the Kiwis will counter that strategy without their most experienced batsman and skipper Kane Williamson, who is yet to be fully fit for the opening game.
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However, former NZ all-rounder Dipak Patel reckoned that Tom Latham & Co would have worked out how to tackle attacking English batsmen. "The strategy they [England] are using of attacking cricket is very good. But the Kiwis will answer with swing bowling. The Kiwis have done their homework and are ready with their plans," Patel told mid-day from Auckland on Tuesday.
He reckoned pacers Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry have to generate more swing to dash England's plans. In addition, they have spinners like Mitchell Santner, Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra.
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Though Williamson scored 54 not out and 37 against Pakistan and South Africa respectively in the warm-up games a few days ago, he is yet to recover fully from his knee injury. Patel expressed surprise at Williamson's inclusion in the World Cup squad. "Picking Kane was a big gamble. Fingers crossed⦠it's surprising to select him when he is not fully fit. If he is fit, he will be a big asset to the team considering his vast experience," said Patel, 64.
From a team's perspective, Patel expressed concern over how Kiwis will showcase their potential on the biggest platform. "NZ are a balanced side, but the World Cup is a big stage; a different kettle of fish. Proper execution is the key at this level and if you are mentally strong, you will get good results at the World Cup," he remarked.
Kenyan-born Patel proved to be a revelation at the 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where his late skipper Martin Crowe got him to open the bowling with this brand of off-spin.
