- Joined
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Just four days ago, Will Young was seen assisting as New Zealand's designated drinks-bearer alongside Strength & Conditioning coach Chris Donaldson at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Tom Latham, not being the captain for once, had been keeping wickets without having to engage with the bowlers due to his distant positioning. However, in the upcoming match against Afghanistan, both Young and Latham will have different roles. Young will be in the thick of the action, both batting and fielding, having stepped in for the injured Kane Williamson. Latham will have to actively participate in discussions around field placements and strategies with the bowlers.
Although the frequent changes in roles may seem challenging, Young and Latham are committed to representing their country, understanding the privilege it carries. New Zealand has faced a series of crises in this World Cup, with Kane Williamson's recurring injuries prompting Young to fill in as captain. The team has managed to find solutions to these challenges so far, but what lies ahead may present a unique set of circumstances.
Afghanistan is not here as mere participants but rather as formidable opponents. They recently outperformed England, a team that has dominated ODI cricket for nearly a decade. The pitch in Chennai is expected to favor Afghanistan once again, and they are determined to secure more wins. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has vowed to play "more positive cricket," and New Zealand's quest for a perfect streak will be tested against a resurgent Afghan team in conditions that favor them. This promises to be an intriguing battle.
When: October 18, 2023, 2:00 PM IST
Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Teams
New Zealand:
Due to Kane Williamson's unavailability due to an "undisplaced fracture" in his left thumb, Will Young is set to fill in for him. Tim Southee, although fit and ready on the sidelines, is unlikely to be rotated into the bowling lineup for this match, given the ample rest the bowlers have had leading up to it.
In terms of tactics and strategy, Afghanistan's recent victory was primarily built on a century-opening partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. This marked their third century stand in ODIs this year, ranking just behind India's Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma in this regard. However, both Afghan openers have shown vulnerability against left-arm fast bowlers, having been dismissed four times each since the beginning of 2021 and scoring at a rate lower than a run per ball. Therefore, Trent Boult is identified as a crucial bowler to contend with in this context.
Afghanistan:
Assuming there are no unexpected injuries, Afghanistan is likely to field the same team that secured their victory against England in Delhi. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who has been their top run-scorer in this tournament, received a demerit point for expressing his frustration by slamming his bat on the boundary rope and a chair after his dismissal in the previous match. However, since this was his first such offense in a 24-month period, he doesn't face an immediate risk of suspension.
In terms of tactics and strategy, Mohammad Nabi's performance against England is noteworthy as he dismissed two left-handed batsmen. New Zealand might potentially have five left-handers in their top eight, which emphasizes Nabi's importance as a key bowler in the team's overall strategy.
Squads:
New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham(w/c), Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Will Young, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi, James Neesham, Tim Southee
Afghanistan Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil(w), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Najibullah Zadran, Abdul Rahman, Riaz Hassan, Noor Ahmad
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