New Zealand has performed consistently well in the Champions Trophy, showcasing strong fielding and run-scoring abilities, while adapting their bowling to Dubai’s conditions, according to all-rounder Glenn Phillips. Their final group match against India is pivotal for determining who plays Australia in the semis. Despite both teams having qualified, familiarity with Dubai’s pitch is crucial, as it has shown slower tendencies after previous matches. New Zealand’s adaptability in varying conditions has been a hallmark, and they take pride in their diverse bowling resources. Phillips emphasizes the importance of winning for momentum and confidence heading into the knockouts.
More importantly, playing in Dubai gives New Zealand the chance to acclimate to these specific playing conditions. Most players have experience at this venue. However, these pitches are significantly worn from the ILT20 and India’s initial two matches, which showed a tendency toward slower play.
Phillips believes New Zealand has the necessary resources regardless of conditions.
“It all boils down to execution on pitches like this,” Phillips stated. “We have two excellent spinners [Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell], plus allrounders like myself and Rachin Ravindra who can contribute overs if needed.
“Additionally, we have three high-quality pace bowlers. Matt Henry generates movement off the pitch, and our big tall bowlers [Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke] have the ability to create variable bounce, which has proven tough for batsmen in Pakistan. I believe that nicely covers our needs.”
“One of Pakistan’s charms is that every pitch we’ve played on has been distinctly different, which has been excellent preparation for us coming to Dubai, knowing that the pitch here will also vary,” Phillips remarked. “We’ve faced various situations, from spinning balls to flat, fast surfaces with small boundaries.”
“This venue presents us with a new challenge, potentially slower with less grass cover and slightly slower outfields. Therefore, we pride ourselves on being as adaptable as possible.”
Initially, Phillips mistakenly believed there was no reserve day for the semi-final scheduled in Pakistan, which would have allowed the group leader to advance more easily to the semi-finals. However, a reserve day for the semi-final in Lahore does exist, and it is only after a no-result across two days that group standings become essential for progressing to the final.
Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of finishing at the top of the group by overcoming India.
“Achieving the top spot builds a great deal of confidence heading into the semi-finals. Ultimately, our objective in a tournament like this is to win every possible game, as momentum can play a strange role in cricket,” he concluded.