NEW DELHI: For the second consecutive year, New Zealand will play India next week T20 World Cup.
Ahead of hosting India this week, captain Kane Williamson talks to TOI about Wellington about players choosing formats and the challenges of building a team with three formats.
Extracts…
New Zealand have decided to go with a full squad for this series less than a week away from the T20 World Cup when most teams are looking for breaks…
Probably, I’m not the person to answer that. Obviously, right after completing a major event, you’re looking to manage what the next period will look like. There will be a few players who will be in and around. They will gain experience. Playing India is something special.
Do you think players will choose formats based on the upcoming World Cup?
Players enjoy playing in these major events. It is up to the individual to make decisions about their own career – what they like and prefer. You always see after major events that players make certain decisions. I’m not sure, but there will be movement after the event. With the shifting landscape presented to us, the players made a number of decisions and Trent (bolt) being a big part of our team has done that and while he’s still available he has a few other things to focus on.
Are all-format readers becoming rare?
This is again up to the individual. As captain, there is no preference as to which players you prefer. Engaging and wanting to play all three formats is beneficial for learning and understanding your game. They all offer different things. It depends on the cricket coming in and your immediate goal with the amount of cricket. You see a lot of players have to make decisions about which formats they would like to play some more.
Is it difficult to build a team with so many different formats?
It’s a challenge. The idea or the role of the captain has certainly changed. You must take into account that you will not have the same team day after day. A few years ago it was a team of 15 looking to do it all. Now you have bigger teams because you don’t have players in every format. The effort required to create an environment is really significant because it only removes specific formats. It’s a challenge how quickly you bounce from game to game and move on to the next format two days later in a different format and start over in another country.
In this scenario, how does a captain schedule his breaks?
The other part of the schedule presented to us is that when you have a few days off, you have other players who have that experience to take on the leadership role. It is very important and great for them.
How long do you take after a World Cup to rebuild yourself?
After big events, there are some changes because you tend to work a little backwards. As a team looking to focus on what you both are going to do, that’s a pretty good way to prepare. I don’t like the idea of preparing something now for what might happen a year from now.
(The New Zealand Indian Tour will be streamed live on Amazon Prime Video from November 18)
Ahead of hosting India this week, captain Kane Williamson talks to TOI about Wellington about players choosing formats and the challenges of building a team with three formats.
Extracts…
New Zealand have decided to go with a full squad for this series less than a week away from the T20 World Cup when most teams are looking for breaks…
Probably, I’m not the person to answer that. Obviously, right after completing a major event, you’re looking to manage what the next period will look like. There will be a few players who will be in and around. They will gain experience. Playing India is something special.
Do you think players will choose formats based on the upcoming World Cup?
Players enjoy playing in these major events. It is up to the individual to make decisions about their own career – what they like and prefer. You always see after major events that players make certain decisions. I’m not sure, but there will be movement after the event. With the shifting landscape presented to us, the players made a number of decisions and Trent (bolt) being a big part of our team has done that and while he’s still available he has a few other things to focus on.
Are all-format readers becoming rare?
This is again up to the individual. As captain, there is no preference as to which players you prefer. Engaging and wanting to play all three formats is beneficial for learning and understanding your game. They all offer different things. It depends on the cricket coming in and your immediate goal with the amount of cricket. You see a lot of players have to make decisions about which formats they would like to play some more.
Is it difficult to build a team with so many different formats?
It’s a challenge. The idea or the role of the captain has certainly changed. You must take into account that you will not have the same team day after day. A few years ago it was a team of 15 looking to do it all. Now you have bigger teams because you don’t have players in every format. The effort required to create an environment is really significant because it only removes specific formats. It’s a challenge how quickly you bounce from game to game and move on to the next format two days later in a different format and start over in another country.
In this scenario, how does a captain schedule his breaks?
The other part of the schedule presented to us is that when you have a few days off, you have other players who have that experience to take on the leadership role. It is very important and great for them.
How long do you take after a World Cup to rebuild yourself?
After big events, there are some changes because you tend to work a little backwards. As a team looking to focus on what you both are going to do, that’s a pretty good way to prepare. I don’t like the idea of preparing something now for what might happen a year from now.
(The New Zealand Indian Tour will be streamed live on Amazon Prime Video from November 18)
