Cricket: Kiwis to aim for positive start
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.NEW ZEALAND plan to adopt a more adventurous approach against India at Trent Bridge today in their bid to enter the World Cup semi-finals. Pakistan's triumph over Zimbabwe yesterday has left New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Australia battling it out for the final two places in the last four.
The Kiwis, hampered by a wash-out against Zimbabwe at Headingley, need victory over India, ideally by an emphatic margin, to increase their run- rate and draw level with Zimbabwe on five points. That would be enough for both New Zealand and Zimbabwe to reach the semi-finals providing South Africa beat Australia at Headingley tomorrow, condemning Steve Waugh's side to an earlier than expected exit.
If, however, Australia triumph at Headingley, it would leave Zimbabwe and New Zealand battling it out for the final place, which would be decided by whichever team had the greater net run rate.
But New Zealand's coach, Steve Rixon, will not consider the permutations before his side have overcome India, whose exit was sealed by Pakistan's win at The Oval. "The only thing we can control is actually going out and winning this game of cricket," he stressed. "As much as you can say it's just another game, it's our only game and it's our last chance. Our run rate isn't great but it does change fairly dramatically if you have a good win, but we have to get two points first."
New Zealand will have to lift their standard from Wednesday's 74-run defeat by South Africa, when the batting let them down. "I think what has held us up is that we have played on a lot of wickets where the white ball has done a lot early and we've tried to protect our wickets and not lose any during the early stages," Rixon added.
"Now the wickets are better, I think we have to go back to a more positive approach and try and get over 70 in the first 15 overs."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments