DUBAI: New Zealand go into their Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa in Lahore on Wednesday buoyed by beating the Proteas at the same venue in a tri-series last month.
The Black Caps lost to India in their final Group ‘A’ match on Sunday in Dubai but Tom Latham said it would have no bearing on the encounter for a place in the final.
More relevant is that New Zealand chased down 305 against South Africa in Lahore after Kane Williamson scored 133 and also beat hosts Pakistan in the tri-series.
“We’re fortunate that we had a tri-series in Pakistan and against South Africa,” said the wicket-keeper Latham.
“We’ve got a chance to look back on those experiences and give our best in a semi-final, which is pretty cool.”
New Zealand were already into the last four of the Champions Trophy prior to Sunday’s loss to India in Dubai.
They also already knew they would have to head back to Pakistan for their semi-final.
“It is something that’s out of our control,” Latham said of the travelling, with India playing all their games in Dubai after refusing to go to hosts Pakistan.
“We don’t decide the schedule and for us it’s about turning up at each game regardless of where it is and trying to play our best brand of cricket as best we can.
“Obviously it’s a chance at making an ICC final,” said Latham.
“We know there’s a lot of hard work to do to get to that point.”
South Africa topped Group ‘B’ ahead of Australia with two impressive wins and one washed-out match.
“We know how strong South Africa are,” said Latham.
“They’ve got all bases covered in terms of batting, bowling and in the field. As you look at it, I’m sure it’ll be a fantastic game.”
New Zealand’s fielding has been outstanding on their way to the semi-finals — Glenn Phillips took a spectacular one-handed flying catch at backward point to dismiss Virat Kohli on Sunday.
“I think we’ve seen throughout the tournament some of the catches that the guys have been taking,” said Latham. “For us it’s an attitude thing.”
HENRY SHRUGS OFF DEFEAT AHEAD OF SEMI
New Zealand will head into their Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa with confidence intact despite suffering their first defeat of the tournament, paceman Matt Henry said.
Henry, who took 5-42 as New Zealand’s bowlers restricted India to 249-9, said the Black Caps would not read much into the defeat.
“I wouldn’t have thought so — we’ve been playing some really good cricket this tournament,” he told reporters.
“Obviously we’re going to get on the plane this morning and we’ll take our learnings from this game but also understand the conditions when we go to Pakistan.
“We’ve played a few games in the tri-series there and we’ll be ready to face that semi-final.”
While India’s spin quartet took nine out of 10 wickets in Dubai, led by Varun Chakravarthy’s 5-42, Henry was full of praise for New Zealand’s pace-led attack.
He also said New Zealand had no preferences before the India match as to which team they would rather face in the semi-finals.
“All teams have their strengths. Obviously [we’re] playing South Africa who have been playing some fantastic cricket and are a very well-balanced side,” he said.
“They’ve obviously got a lot of power in their batting line-up but they’ve got a serious bowling attack as well.“Semi-final cricket, finals cricket, it’s always exciting and it’s always great when you’re playing against the best teams.”
Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2025
