In the inaugural match of the ODI World Cup 2023, New Zealand delivered a dominant performance, defeating England by 9 wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5. The Kiwis effortlessly chased down a target of 283, thanks to stellar centuries from Devon Conway, who remained unbeaten at 152, and Rachin Ravindra, who marked his World Cup debut with a commendable 123*.
When questioned about the team's mindset and if they viewed the Netherlands as a potentially easier adversary, New Zealand's all-rounder Glenn Phillips emphasised that there are no straightforward games in the World Cup, with every team capable of causing an upset.
Discussing the team's bowling prowess, Phillips highlighted the contributions of Mitchell Santner. "Yeah, Santner's been unbelievable for an incredibly long time. His ability to bowl both quick and slow deliveries with almost the same action is commendable. He has a keen sense of when batters are about to attack, making him effective in either taking wickets or being economical," Phillips remarked.
Phillips further stressed the importance of all Kiwi spinners, who rally around their primary spinner, Santner. "With a top-tier spinner like Santner, who also contributes significantly with the bat, it adds depth to our team. Then we have Rachin, myself, and Ish, each playing distinct roles at different game junctures. Santner remains a pivotal element in our bowling strategy, with the captain consistently depending on him, be it during the power play, middle overs, or at the death," he elaborated.
Expressing his delight at the performance of Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway in their World Cup debut, Phillips said, "Their partnership of over 270 runs was exceptional, especially for two debutants in the World Cup. Knowing that these two are in peak form is reassuring for the team. Everyone had a good run during the warm-up matches, and there's a positive vibe in the camp right now," Phillips concluded.
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