ADELAIDE, Australia — Former New Zealand
batsman
Ross Taylor says there are no clear favorites till now in a wide open
Twenty20 World Cup as conditions in Australia have kept a level playing field.
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Defending champions Australia bowed out of the
tournament after England’s win over
Sri Lanka on Saturday, a result that made
the Three Lions enter the semifinals alongside New Zealand in Group 1.
Less fancied teams had their moments in a cup of
upsets from Namibia shocking Asian champions Sri Lanka in the opener to Ireland
knocking out two-time champions West Indies in round one.
England suffered a shock defeat to Ireland in a
rain-affected Super 12 match and Zimbabwe stunned Pakistan in a last-ball
thriller at Perth.
“New Zealand, South Africa and Australia were the
teams struggling the most with their form leading up to it and here we are
talking about South Africa and New Zealand making the semifinals,” Taylor told
AFP.
“It’s about the day really and that’s what I have
enjoyed about this World Cup. The team that performs on the day are having a
big impact, a few of these upsets and stuff like that.”
India, South Africa, Pakistan and
Bangladesh jostle
for two semifinal berths from Group 2 on Sunday.
From the wet weather in Melbourne, which witnessed
three of the four washouts, to windy and bouncy Perth and the cool Adelaide,
the pitches in Australia have offered a large range.
Last year’s tournament in the UAE favored the team
chasing as 12 of 13 matches played at the Dubai International Stadium were won
by the side bowling first.
“If you look at the UAE leg, the toss played a big
part but here, playing at so many different venues and to adapt, it’s been good
to watch,” said Ross, who retired from international cricket in April.
New Zealand, who lost the final to
Australia in
Dubai, were the first team to reach the final four with skipper Kane Williamson
finding form in his team’s last Super 12 match against Ireland.
Williamson hit 61 off 35 deliveries to lead his team
to a 35-run win on Friday and now await their semifinals opponents from the
other group.
“Anytime you are
scoring runs regardless of who the opposition is, you are going to get some
confidence,” Taylor said of Williamson.
The perennial underdogs of world cricket, New
Zealand have been made two semifinal appearances including in the 2007
inaugural edition but have never won the title.
Ask Taylor if they look favorites this time around
and the 38-year-old is happy to take it. “Yeah, I think so, there is an
opportunity.” he said. “I think New Zealand were always like the underdogs and
anytime we get that tag (of favorites) we try and take it.”
Apart from a dependable batting unit, which includes
this edition’s second centurion
Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway, the Black Caps
have a potent pace attack.
The veteran pace duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee
are still sharp with 13 wickets between them, but Taylor has been impressed
with the South African speedsters.
Taylor also praised Williamson for his leadership
skills with “good lieutenants” in Southee and Boult at his service.
Taylor represented New Zealand in 112 Tests, 236
ODIs and 102 T20I matches, amassing 18,199 runs across formats in a an
illustrious career spanning 16 years between 2006–2022.
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