'Not Over Yet' - Kane Williamson Brushes Aside Suggestions On NZ's Golden Generation
Kane Williamson and Trent Boult (AP Photo)
New Zealand's golden generation of players will live to fight another day and another chance to claim the maiden World Cup trophy, insisted skipper Kane Williamson following the team's painstaking ICC World Cup 2023 semifinal exit against India in Mumbai on Wednesday (November 15).
Williamson affirmed it is "not over yet" for this group of BlackCaps cricketers aspiring to cross the final hurdle at an ICC event after successfully making the previous two finals of the men's 50-over World Cup in 2015 and 2019 and securing a semifinal berth at the 2023 India event.
Apart from their One-Day mettle, New Zealand had exhibited great skill and defiance in winning the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final versus India in June 2021 and made the final of the T20 World Cup in Dubai that year versus Australia before finishing as runners-up.
At World Cups, it's been a case of so near and yet so far for the Kiwis over the years and Williamson suggested that contrary to the outside belief, the veterans part of the current set-up remain determined to resurrect their history and fight on for another title in the years to follow.
Williamson Insists New Zealand's Golden Generation Will Continue
Over time New Zealand have blooded in youngsters and invested in youth to transform their playing culture. However, a feeling that stalwarts Williamson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and James Neesham are approaching the twilight of their respective careers and won't be around for next edition in 2027 has been unavoidable. While batting giant Williamson and pace allrounder Neesham are aged 33, the fast-bowling pair of Boult and Southee are both one year older.
Speaking to the press on the critical matter following the 70-run defeat to India, Williamson initially joked to the journalist for querying and reminding him and the rest of the experienced heads in the BlackCaps set-up about their age. But then insisted they will be around for the next major ICC event and are pretty much willing to continue playing.
"It's an ongoing effort as a side to keep trying to get better and push the boundaries of where we can get to as a team," Williamson said. "You can only hope that, as we experienced from some of our leaders as young guys, that we can continue to bring players through."
"Not just in the quality that [the senior players] bring, because we've seen that in spades throughout the last seven weeks, but also in how they're approaching their cricket in order to try and move this team forwards," he added.
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