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SYDNEY: New Zealand and Australia have both delayed naming their squads for their Twenty20 World Cup opener due to rainstorms forecast for Sydney Cricket Ground around the time of Saturday’s replay of the 2021 final.
Australian captain Aaron Finch has only confirmed that he will open the batting for the hosts and reigning champions and that all-rounder Cameron Green will not play after coming into the squad on Thursday as a replacement for the injured Josh Inglis .
“If there’s rain around and the game is shortened, it can determine what you do with your team,” he told reporters on Friday.
“It’s about shuffling your batting, we’ve got some power throughout our order so we feel we can map out how an opposition are going to use their resources, and try to get the games in our favour.”
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson took a similar approach to the Super 12 Group 1 clash, confirming that all-rounder Daryl Mitchell was the only player in the squad unavailable due to his broken finger.
“Everyone else is fit or fit enough,” he said. “We haven’t seen the pitch yet because it’s been covered all morning so we won’t confirm an XI yet because if it’s shortened it’s likely to change.”
The Black Caps have not beaten their neighbors in Australia in any format since 2011 and Williamson put that down to the strength of their hosts in home conditions.
“It certainly doesn’t stop us from trying to do our best and win, regardless of what records are behind us,” he added.
“We’ve had a number of match-winners throughout and the team is looking forward to the (competition).”
Finch admitted Australia had taken a gamble by bringing Green in as a back-up wicketkeeper for Matt Wade after Inglis was injured in a “freak accident” while playing golf.
“We’ve gone through the numbers and it’s a 0.05% chance that something has happened in the past with a ‘keeper ruling him out on the day of the game,” he said. “It’s definitely a risk, but it’s one we’re willing to take.”
Finch said he felt positive about Australia’s title defence.
“What we learned from the last World Cup tournament is that if the team has very good faith, it goes a long way,” he said.
“It’s immeasurable in terms of statistics, but the belief in the group was incredibly high last year when nobody gave us a chance at all. We feel like we still have that belief.”
Australian captain Aaron Finch has only confirmed that he will open the batting for the hosts and reigning champions and that all-rounder Cameron Green will not play after coming into the squad on Thursday as a replacement for the injured Josh Inglis .
“If there’s rain around and the game is shortened, it can determine what you do with your team,” he told reporters on Friday.
“It’s about shuffling your batting, we’ve got some power throughout our order so we feel we can map out how an opposition are going to use their resources, and try to get the games in our favour.”
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson took a similar approach to the Super 12 Group 1 clash, confirming that all-rounder Daryl Mitchell was the only player in the squad unavailable due to his broken finger.
“Everyone else is fit or fit enough,” he said. “We haven’t seen the pitch yet because it’s been covered all morning so we won’t confirm an XI yet because if it’s shortened it’s likely to change.”
The Black Caps have not beaten their neighbors in Australia in any format since 2011 and Williamson put that down to the strength of their hosts in home conditions.
“It certainly doesn’t stop us from trying to do our best and win, regardless of what records are behind us,” he added.
“We’ve had a number of match-winners throughout and the team is looking forward to the (competition).”
Finch admitted Australia had taken a gamble by bringing Green in as a back-up wicketkeeper for Matt Wade after Inglis was injured in a “freak accident” while playing golf.
“We’ve gone through the numbers and it’s a 0.05% chance that something has happened in the past with a ‘keeper ruling him out on the day of the game,” he said. “It’s definitely a risk, but it’s one we’re willing to take.”
Finch said he felt positive about Australia’s title defence.
“What we learned from the last World Cup tournament is that if the team has very good faith, it goes a long way,” he said.
“It’s immeasurable in terms of statistics, but the belief in the group was incredibly high last year when nobody gave us a chance at all. We feel like we still have that belief.”
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