NZ happy to go into semifinal against India as underdogs: Ferguson

Set to face table-topper and favourite India in the first semifinal here on Tuesday, Lockie Ferguson said the Black Caps do not mind people talking down about their chances.

Published : Jul 07, 2019 22:20 IST , Manchester

Lockie Ferguson is New Zealand's leading wicket-taker in the World Cup.
Lockie Ferguson is New Zealand's leading wicket-taker in the World Cup.
lightbox-info

Lockie Ferguson is New Zealand's leading wicket-taker in the World Cup.

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson on Sunday said his team is happy to go into the World Cup semifinal against India as underdogs as that’s a position the team “like to be in”.

The 2015 runner-up sneaked into the semifinals of the World Cup as the fourth team on the basis of net run-rate, having lost its last three league games -- against Pakistan, Australia and England.

READ | Illingworth-Kettleborough to officiate Ind-NZ WC semifinal

Set to face table-topper and favourite India in the first semifinal here on Tuesday, Ferguson said the Black Caps do not mind people talking down about their chances.

“It’s an interesting one. I guess in World Cups obviously big games get pumped up and where we stand is the fourth going into the semifinals so naturally I guess they back India,” Ferguson told reporters.

“But as New Zealanders we are often the underdogs and I guess that’s a position we like to be in and it’s knockout cricket now, so it’s all on Tuesday and the better team will go through,” he added.

He said the Kiwis would like to be the scrappers.

“As a team, we definitely want to be the scrappers, guys that scrap for wins, not always will we win pretty.

“But in a way we kind of pride ourselves on the ability to come back from tough situations and scrap our way and give ourselves an opportunity to win,” the pacer said.

Ferguson, who missed the last league game against England due to a hamstring injury, is hopeful of making a comeback to the playing eleven against India.

“There was definitely some tightness particularly the day before the game. The scans came back, it was nothing too serious so a few days off.

“Hopefully I’ll get out today and have a run around and everything will be good,” said Ferguson.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment