Tom Latham on huge World Cup clash between unbeaten New Zealand and India
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00:00 It's been almost 20 years you are continuously winning against India in World Cup.
00:07 So will this rhythm continue because India is coming with, you know, in a big way?
00:18 Sorry, what was that?
00:21 India is coming with a stronger way.
00:23 So how will you see that, if you feel any challenges about that?
00:30 Yeah obviously India are a fantastic side.
00:32 We've seen that over many years, you know, especially at this World Cup as well.
00:36 They're playing some fantastic cricket, which is great to see.
00:41 You know, on the back of that, obviously two form teams that are playing some good cricket.
00:45 So it's going to be a great contest tomorrow.
00:47 You know, over recent years we've had some great games of cricket, whether that be here
00:52 in India or back home in New Zealand.
00:54 So I'm sure tomorrow the clash will be no different and I'm sure both sides are really
00:57 looking forward to it.
01:01 How important is having Miss Santana in your team because whenever you are playing in India,
01:06 upspin becomes an important part?
01:08 Yeah, he's been a massive part of our side for many years now.
01:12 I think his experience in these conditions, he's obviously played in the IPL for many
01:17 years.
01:18 He's been with the Chennai side for a long time.
01:20 So I think we've seen how adaptable he is in these conditions.
01:24 He can obviously turn the ball and he's obviously got a lot of bounce as well, which makes him
01:29 really threatening.
01:30 So he's been fantastic for us so far this tournament and I'm sure hopefully tomorrow
01:35 will be no different.
01:36 And you know, as I said, he's performed really well in a couple of games and I'm sure he'll
01:42 be looking forward to trying to repeat that.
01:44 And his experience from playing in India?
01:46 Yeah, again, his experience is second to none.
01:49 Obviously, being with Chennai for a long time, we've obviously got other guys as well
01:53 that have experienced the IPL for many years.
01:56 So leaning on that experience is really important.
01:59 We haven't played a lot of cricket up here in Dharamshala.
02:03 Guys haven't played a lot.
02:04 So for us, trying to adapt to conditions as quick as possible is going to be really important.
02:10 Tom, a couple of questions.
02:12 Firstly, the consistency of New Zealand, not just in this World Cup, over the last two
02:16 World Cups.
02:17 What do you put that down to?
02:19 In India, because of Hardik's injury, there are a couple of options that they can go with.
02:24 Does that make it difficult as an opponent not knowing how they'll go and how does that
02:28 affect your planning and preparation?
02:30 Yeah, I think from our consistency over World Cups, it's always been for us, it's about
02:34 trying to play our brand of cricket as best we can.
02:38 For us, sticking to our game plan and trying to do that for long periods of time and staying
02:42 in the game for as long as possible has sort of been the key to what we've done.
02:46 Obviously, the last two ODI World Cups have been in Australia and England, where conditions
02:51 are reasonably similar to back home, whereas this one's obviously completely different,
02:56 where conditions are completely different.
02:58 So again, adapting as much as we can has been a massive thing that we talk about and doing
03:03 that as quick as possible.
03:05 And if we can do that, then hopefully that gives ourselves a good chance.
03:09 And obviously on the Indian side, obviously missing Hardik, which is obviously a key member,
03:15 with the balance of their side.
03:16 So for us, it's just trying to adapt to their team, whatever that may be.
03:21 That's out of our control, but our preparation will prepare for anyone or for all of their
03:26 team who are going to play and we'll just wait and see what they come up with tomorrow.
03:32 Tom, New Zealand obviously has India's number when it comes to the ICC events.
03:39 So what is it about India that you have such a high success rate?
03:46 Where do you think are they susceptible?
03:50 I'm not sure, to be honest.
03:53 They're a fantastic team.
03:54 They've been playing some great cricket for a long period of time.
03:58 We've had some great contests in ICC events, but also in bilateral series, whether that
04:03 be home or away.
04:04 We've played each other quite a lot over recent years, which has been really cool.
04:08 So I'm not too sure.
04:11 For us, as I said just before, it's just about trying to play our game plan as best we can
04:16 and try to execute it as well as we can.
04:18 And if we do that, then we know we can beat any team in the world on our day.
04:22 So we've spoken about this tournament that anyone can beat anyone on their day and it's
04:27 about whoever turns up on that specific day and plays well.
04:30 So tomorrow's going to be no different.
04:33 Tom, New Zealand obviously have had really good runs in world tournaments, particularly
04:40 ODI World Cups over the last couple of cycles.
04:43 What is it, do you think, about the New Zealand set-up, kind of a bigger picture about what
04:48 allows you to be a good tournament team to adapt from opposition to opposition?
04:52 Is there something - you mentioned adaptability - how does that kind of play itself out?
04:56 Yeah, I'm not 100% sure what it is.
05:00 But yeah, as I said, being adaptable is probably one of the most important things for us as
05:05 a group and trying to do that as quick as possible.
05:08 And obviously with this format, you play everyone once, which is obviously unique to 2015 where
05:16 it was pool play.
05:17 So yeah, again, we're in India.
05:21 We're offered different conditions that we're used to.
05:24 So adaptability, sticking to our plan as best you can.
05:29 And if you do that, then hopefully that gives you a good chance at the end of the game.
05:35 So the conditions here have been the best for Seamus up front.
05:38 The ball has done a little bit.
05:41 And the last few games between India and New Zealand, the Indian top order has looked susceptible
05:46 to when the ball is moving.
05:48 Do you think with the top order in nice form coming into this match, the Indian top order
05:53 that is, and your ball is also doing the job, that might be the passage which may as well
05:57 decide this game?
05:58 Yeah, I think there's many factors that lead into a game.
06:02 I don't think it's one specific area that you can nail down.
06:07 It's obviously playing well for 50 overs in both innings is really important.
06:12 But as you said, India's top order have been fantastic this tournament.
06:17 And again, our bowling attacker has done a really good job up front as well.
06:21 So that's going to be a great contest with bat and ball and obviously vice versa with
06:26 India and Seamus in our top order.
06:28 You look at the matchups throughout a game against both sides and there's some pretty
06:34 good matchups there.
06:36 So I think throughout the whole innings, both innings, it's going to be a really tight contest.
06:41 And I'm sure both sides are really looking forward to it.
06:47 Skipper, what do you make of the conditions, the pitch and the outfield?
06:51 Yeah, it looks a reasonably good wicket.
06:54 There's obviously been a couple of games here throughout the tournament.
06:57 So I'm just trying to get as much information on those games as much as possible.
07:02 Yeah, trying to get a read on the surface.
07:06 It's a new wicket, so hopefully it allows for a good game of cricket.
07:10 So yeah, with whatever we've got, we've got to adapt as quick as we can.
07:14 And hopefully we can do that as quick as possible.
07:22 Just taking you back to the last game versus Afghanistan, how satisfying was it to recover
07:26 from where you were four down for 120 odd, then doing well against the spin try of Nabi
07:31 Rashid?
07:32 How satisfying was it and how much momentum does it give you before this top of the table
07:35 clash versus India?
07:36 Yeah, it was obviously satisfying to, I think, be put under pressure.
07:42 Obviously, throughout the start of the innings, we were on top.
07:45 And then obviously, there was a period of the game where Afghanistan put us under a
07:49 lot of pressure and for us to overcome that sort of tough period, just to absorb a little
07:55 bit of pressure.
07:56 And then once we felt the time was right, put a bit of pressure back on them.
07:59 And I guess to get the score that we did from the position we're in was really satisfying.
08:03 So if we're faced with that situation tomorrow, whoever it may be, then if we're able to absorb
08:09 a bit of pressure and then finally put it back on the Indian team, whether that be with
08:13 Baden Ball, that's going to be really important.
08:15 So just trying to find the right times to do that.
08:19 And I guess that comes down to the communication between the team, whether what they say is
08:23 the right thing to do at the right time.
08:25 So yeah, a contest that's going to be pretty fascinating to watch.
08:29 Tom, did you guys stay up and catch the All Blacks in action last night?
08:35 And they've reached the finals with another Rugby World Cup going on.
08:41 How inspiring is their journey and do you guys exchange messages?
08:44 What's been the mood regarding that?
08:46 Also any update on K&N Saudi?
08:49 Yeah, obviously I definitely stayed up for the All Blacks and watched them.
08:53 It was a great contest.
08:55 Obviously Kiwis support each other wherever that may be around the world and we're certainly
09:02 no different in supporting the All Blacks.
09:04 And obviously we've had so much support back home for us here and this World Cup as well.
09:09 So obviously great to see that they're there for another week and good luck to them next
09:15 week, it's going to be a great contest.
09:17 And yeah, Kane's obviously still nursing his thumb injury.
09:22 It's a day by day process with him as well.
09:26 You know, fingers crossed he'll be available for later on in the tournament.
09:29 And in regards to Tim, he's available for selection.
09:34 Tom, what's the status of Diu?
09:38 This is a cooler place compared to wherever you've played in the last few days.
09:45 What's the status on Diu and is it going to make some impact on the toss, as in your decision
09:51 at the toss?
09:52 Yeah, I think Diu's a massive factor here.
09:55 In Darmstadt I think we turned up at 5 o'clock last night and there was some Diu starting
10:00 to form.
10:01 So for us trying to work out what the best way is for us moving forward into the game,
10:07 whether it be a battle ball for us.
10:09 We'll come up with that decision tomorrow, or today and tomorrow.
10:12 But yeah, I guess, obviously understanding that it's going to play a factor at some point
10:17 and try and deal with it as best we can.
10:19 Thank you.