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Bold New Zealand Continue to Shock

Bold New Zealand Continue to Shock

Who would have thought this? Riding the back of their menacing spinners, New Zealand are in pole position for a semi-final berth after beating World T20 favourites India and fancied Australia.

Eerily like their stunning performance against India a few days earlier, New Zealand once again defended a seemingly mediocre score albeit not quite in as spectacular fashion. They restricted a high-octane Australia batting order to 134-8 to win by eight runs in the Super 10 Group B match played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.

Australia, much like New Zealand earlier in the day, started swiftly and looked set for an easy victory at 44-0 in the sixth over. On a wearing pitch rendering their explosive batting useless coupled with brainless shot selections, Australia crumbled to fall short of the target leaving their World T20 campaign in serious peril.

Australia’s T20 flaws, mishmash selections and perpetual struggles in Indian conditions were brutally exposed, but it would be a major disservice to downplay New Zealand’s efforts.

The turning point of the match was undoubtedly left-arm orthodox spinner Mitchell Santner’s wicket of Australia captain Steve Smith, arguably the best batsman across the three formats right now. Santner, who has only been playing international cricket in the middle of last year, is bowling like he is the second coming of Bishan Bedi. Smith is regarded as Australia’s most adept player of spin, but he was deceived by Santner’s menacing loop and sharp turn to be convincingly stumped.

Smith’s wicket slumped Australia to 51-2 and you could sense the complexion of the game change. Australia was noticeably wobbling and the Black Caps had regained momentum.

The comprehensive Smith wicket was symbolic and encapsulates the contrasting positions both teams find themselves in. New Zealand are riding their spinners into genuine championship contention, while Australia are in an uncomfortable tangle, yearning for answers.

New Zealand’s new captain Kane Williamson deserves much plaudits. Perhaps he has learned a trick or two from his predecessor Brendon McCullum, but Williamson clearly reads the game well and, much like his batting, understands its tempo. He isn’t as audacious as McCullum but Williamson is patient and, importantly, backs his instincts.

Williamson was not spooked by Australia’s swift reply. He could have buckled under the pressure and brought on his spinners knowing Australia’s struggles against the turning ball. But he stuck to his methodology of using the seamers early and unleashing his spinners when the pitch would inevitably slow.

It worked a treat as Australia became mired in quicksand mid-innings and they were unable to accelerate at the death as the pitch slowed notably.

Unlike Australia’s head-scratching selections, New Zealand has been bold and, ultimately, right with their selections. They successfully went with a three-pronged spin attack against India but dropped off-spinner Nathan McCullum for seamer Mitchell McClenaghan. McClenaghan repaid the faith in spades with 3-17 from three overs against Australia and was particularly effective at the death.

New Zealand once again resisted selecting star pacemen Trent Boult and Tim Southee, a tough stance many other teams probably wouldn’t have the conviction to stick with. It is testament to their ability to read the conditions but also demonstrates underrated depth in the team.

New Zealand are often dark horses at major tournaments and have lived up to that moniker in ODI World Cups. However they have found World T20s more difficult having not made it to the semi-final stage since the inaugural edition in 2007.

Unless something unexpected happens, and one never truly can be certain in this unpredictable format, New Zealand should be competing in the final four.

Cricket’s shortest format often feels like a crapshoot, and the manic pulse of T20 is reinforced by five different teams having won the World T20. Some thought if a sixth team was to win the World T20, then it would naturally be Australia’s turn. But New Zealand are stealing Australia’s thunder. Their famed pluck is rearing at the opportune time. They have clearly been the most impressive team thus far in the tournament albeit there has been a small sample size.

Gleaming from their stellar performances, you feel New Zealand genuinely believes they can win the World T20.

It would be foolish to bet against them.