• Home
  • Who Said What
  • We Will Be Up For It Williamson Ahead Of Possible Semi Final Vs Ind After Win Over Sl

‘We Will Be Up For It…’ Williamson Ahead Of Possible Semi-Final vs IND After Win Over SL

image-lorb6wslNew Zealand captain Kane Williamson during the 2023 World Cup (AP)


New Zealand cantered themselves to a NRR-boosting win over Sri Lanka in their final league fixture of the 2023 World Cup. The outcome also snapped New Zealand’s four-match losing streak in the tournament, and shot them back to the semi-finals reckoning just a week before the planned knockouts.

Skipper Kane Williamson expressed his excitement over his side’s emphatic result, and also acknowledged the growing possibility of a potential semi-final showdown against tournament hosts and unbeaten Indian side.

Kane Williamson wary of a possible Indian challenge

After the match, Kane Williamson hailed his side for putting up a collective team effort in their must-win game against Sri Lanka.

The batting veteran praised Trent Boult and Tim Southee for their early strikes inside the powerplay, and also commended his spinners for scything through the lower half of Sri Lanka’s batting line-up in the middle overs. Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, the cricketer said:

“Yes, very happy. Really got the win. Early wickets. The spin was a factor and the guys were brilliant in the middle overs and restricted them. The pacers were good and the spinners were outstanding and it was a collective effort from the boys.”

Citing Pakistan’s remaining World Cup 2023 fixture against England, Kane Williamson added that New Zealand can still finish their group run on par with a couple of teams. As of now, the ‘Black Caps’ are planning to get back to their training as they brace themselves for a possible semi-final showdown against an unbeaten Indian team.

The legendary Kiwi batter claimed that regardless of the scenario, his New Zealand troops will be up for the Indian challenge in the knockouts.

“Yes, a couple of teams can get to same points. So, we will relax and maybe a bit of training and then see where we are at. Yes, if we go to the semis, it will be against India as you said. But it depends. We will be up for it and if we are fortunate, we will play the home side.”

An India vs New Zealand semi-final is almost a certainty at this stage, considering Pakistan needs to defeat England by more than 270 runs in their final league fixture.