We don't really have a choice: Williamson on New Zealand not billed as favourites

New Zealand [Image Credit- Twitter]

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is not bothered with the fact that the BlackCaps aren't going into the T20 World Cup 2022 with the favourites tag.

New Zealand are locked alongside defending champions and hosts Australia, 2010 champions England and Afghanistan and a couple of qualifying teams in Group 1 of the Super-10.

No one rated the BlackCaps ahead of the 2021 T20 World Cup either but Williamson's men proved everyone wrong to qualify for the finals, where they were eventually beaten by Australia.

And, Kane is aware of that. Speaking to the media at the joint press-conference of all captains in Melbourne, the Kiwi skipper said that every side can upset anyone on a given day as they are all bloated by match-winners.

Here's what Kane Williamson said:

"Yeah, I mean, we don't really have a choice in what people call us, but for us we came here and try and focus on the cricket that we want to play and address what's in front of us.

"Yeah, everybody has different tags and rankings that go up and down throughout the year, and I suppose they end up with different names. But yeah, you come here in tournament sport on any day, anything can happen, especially looking across all these teams with match winners throughout."

Will New Zealand maintain their consistent run in ICC events this time

New Zealand have been one of the most consistent team in ICC events (across formats) since the start of 2015.

The BlackCaps finished as runners-up at the 2015 and 2019 50-over WC and at the 2021 T20 WC. They also finished as semi-finalists in the 2016 T20 WC before finally claiming an ICC trophy at the 2021 WTC final at the expense of India.

New Zealand recently lost to Pakistan in the Tri-series final at home. They will open their campaign against Australia at the SCG on October 22.

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