T20 World Cup: Focus on Williamson as New Zealand faces Ireland

With New Zealand and either England or Australia set to make it to the semifinals from Group 1, Ireland’s campaign is literally over, but the giant-killers want to sign off with another keenly-fought contest.

With just 71 runs in three innings, Williamson has an average of 23.66 and a strike-rate of 93.42.  | Photo Credit: AP

Halfway through the New Zealand net session at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday morning, Kane Williamson took off his helmet and changed his batting approach – he went after every ball, using brute force rather than his usual style of caressing the ball. 

But by the time he walked in to address the media on the eve of New Zealand’s last T20 World Cup Super-12 fixture against Ireland, the captain had his trademark smile back. He, however, revealed that he has been “working on different things” as he is “still looking for that little bit of rhythm.”  

Williamson has drawn criticism for his batting approach in the tournament. At the Gabba a few days back, he scored a run-a-ball 40 against England, whereas Glenn Phillips hit a flurry of boundaries against the English bowlers. Even prior to that game, Williamson failed to get going as he scored just eight off 13 against Sri Lanka and a run-a-ball 23 in the opener against Australia. 

With just 71 runs in three innings, Williamson averages 23.66 with a strike-rate of 93.42. “You guys are allowed to chat about lots of different things, and that’s quite okay. For me, it’s all about just trying to make contributions to the team and moving the team forward in whatever way I can,” Williamson said when asked about his strike rate. 

“At the end of the day, you’re trying to adjust to the conditions and try to get a real understanding of what a role looks like. We’ve seen a variety of sort of medium-level scores throughout the tournament, and sometimes the challenge is pulling back.”  

Against Ireland, Williamson will be hoping to make “better contributions” with the willow and get back his rhythm before the knockouts. New Zealand, already assured of a semifinals spot, will look to use the game against Ireland to fix a few weak links like the captain’s indifferent run. 

The middle-order is well-oiled with Glenn Phillips in red-hot form with a century and a 71, and he would be hoping to keep the momentum going. Openers Devon Conway and Finn Allen, however, after the opening game, have failed to utilise good starts and the duo will look to nullify the Josh Little-led Ireland pace attack, and spend more time in the middle. 

For Ireland, it’s about making an impact against yet another big team. After handing a shock defeat to England last week, the young team fought bravely against Australia the other evening. 

The focus, obviously, will be on Tucker after his gritty innings against Australia. But against a solid New Zealand fast bowling line-up, spearheaded by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, the likes of Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling will also need to chip in if Ireland wants to sign off its World Cup campaign with another giant-killing act.