New Zealand’s ODI form has been uninspiring in the build up to the World Cup.
Since exiting in the group stage in 2022, they’ve won 11 of their 29 matches, including losing seven of their past 10 completed outings, and haven’t played an official ODI since March.
But while head coach Ben Sawyer acknowledges Australia, India, and England – the three sides ahead of them in the ICC rankings – are deservedly favourites, he isn’t concerned by New Zealand’s form or comparative inconsistency.
Speaking to BBC World Service’s Stumped podcast, Sawyer said: “They’re the three standouts, that’s my opinion.
“But the beauty of a World Cup is that you’ve only got to beat each of those teams once, and on some occasions, you only have to beat them on the final day.
“We think we can beat anyone on our day.”
Like Kerr, Sawyer doesn’t mind the lack of external expectation on his side, stating “that’s the way the Kiwis like it”, but he’s less enthusiastic about the ‘underdog’ tag following a “profound message” from former Australia women and England men head coach Matthew Mott before the 2024 final.
“He said, ‘don’t go into this final as underdogs, you want to attack from the front’,” recalls Sawyer.
“I remember sitting there that morning, we sat and watched every boundary and every wicket we’d taken, every catch we’d taken, and it was like we’ve done this, and we’ve just got to repeat this.
“There is that element of enjoying an underdog status but there’s also times when you’ve got to be out in front. It was time to puff your chest out a bit and get out in front.”
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