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‘We Have India…,’ Latham Backs NZ To Keep Up World Cup 2023 Momentum After Win vs AFG

image-lnvyeue1Tom Latham with his teammates against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup (x.com)

New Zealand team catapulted itself to the top of the World Cup 2023 points table following their emphatic 149-run win against Afghanistan. Taking field in Chennai without regular skipper Kane Williamson, makeshift captain Tom Latham punched out an attacking fifty and shared a counterattacking 144-run stand with Glenn Phillips.

Their partnership lifted New Zealand to a monumental 288, thus negating Afghanistan’s three-wicket burst in the middle overs. Later in the evening, Trent Boult’s new-ball spell and Mitchell Santner’s tail-demolishing act handed the ‘Black Caps’ their fourth win in succession this tournament.

After the match, skipper Latham admitted that his team was put under pressure by Afghanistan before his rescue effort with Phillips guided them towards a match-winning total. The cricketer also praised Mitchell Santner for his all-round consistency, and added that his unit is looking forward to their upcoming 2023 World Cup challenges against India and Australia.

Tom Latham aiming to bank on momentum

New Zealand interim skipper Tom Latham hailed his side for overcoming pressure and scripting a comprehensive victory over a high-flying Afghanistan side. The cricketer acknowledged his partnership with Glenn Phillips and praised the latter for his 71-run effort. During the post-match presentation, he said:

“A pleasing start. Another great performance. We were put under pressure some times. The bowlers managed to take wickets when it was needed. We had lost three wickets in a short span of time. We thought of regrouping. They bowled fantastically well. We managed to capitalize. Glenn Phillips played a fantastic knock.”

Tom Latham also hailed his new-ball duo of Trent Boult and Matt Henry for strangulating Afghanistan early in their run-chase. The wicketkeeper-batsman further praised Mitchell Santner for his three-fer and for his all-round consistency in the ongoing tournament.

Having registered four World Cup 2023 wins in as many games, Latham is aiming to pile on his side’s winning momentum when they square off against hosts India and Australia in their subsequent two fixtures.

“The first 10 overs were superb. Mitchell Santner coming in and doing his job. Pleasing all-round performance. I guess on the back of some good performances, it is pleasing. We have India and then Australia. Hopefully, the momentum will continue.”

Tom Latham and his New Zealand troops will now travel to the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala to set their World Cup 2023 base for the next 10 days. At the scenic venue, they are slated to face tournament hosts India on October 22 and Antipodean rivals Australia on October 28.