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Cricket PlayersNZ vs NAM T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: New Zealand inch close to semis, beat Namibia by 52 runs
New Zealand vs Namibia T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: With this win New Zealand have now jumped to the second spot on the Group 2 points table.
New Zealand vs Namibia (NZ vs NAM) T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: Kane Williamson-led New Zealand consolidated their spot in the semi-final race after defeating minnows Namibia by 52 runs in the Super 12 clash at the ongoing T20 World Cup. After being asked to bat first on a Sharjah track, which provides assistance to spinners, New Zealand posted a challenging 163-4 in 20 overs. The Black Caps got off to a slow start and managed just 62-2 in the first 10 overs. James Neesham and Glenn Phillips provided New Zealand with the much-needed late push as the pair combined to add 76 runs in 36 balls to help their side finish their innings on a strong note. Neesham finished the innings unbeaten on 35 from 23 balls, while his partner Phillip scores 39* off 21 deliveries. Namibia in response got off to a decent start with the openers adding 47 runs for the first wicket. However, the team kept losing wickets at regular intervals after that and could only muster 111/7 in 20 overs. Catch the Highlights of New Zealand vs Namibia, T20 World Cup 2021:
...Read MoreThe scenario before the clash
Namibia are out of the semi-final contention. They currently sit fifth on the points table and would look to stage an upset here. New Zealand, on the other hand, can't afford a defeat as it opens the gate for India and Afghanistan to bounce back in the final four race.
The players of both the sides have assembled in the middle for pre-match rituals. Match to start after this.
Focus on Martin Guptill
Martin Guptill smashed 93 off just 56 deliveries in New Zealand's previous clash against Scotland, can the tall Kiwi opener repeat the carnage? Live action to start shortly.
Pitch Report ft. VVS Laxman
“This is the third match which is going to be played on this surface. Both the matches have been high scoring. It is going to be a low, slow wicket and it is going to be different as it is an afternoon game. I feel the spinners will have more influence and also the ball will stop and come onto the bat, it won't be easy for the batters.”
Playing XIs
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson(c), Devon Conway(w), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
Namibia: Stephan Baard, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus(c), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Zane Green(w), Michael van Lingen, Karl Birkenstock, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz
Captains speak:
Kane Williamson: “Looks a typical Sharjah wicket. Important we need to build some partnerships early on and then take it forward. Have had few niggles but so far so good. The guys are going alright. We have got the same team.”
Gerhard Erasmus: “We will bowl first. The pitch looks very good, Tough to defend. Hopefully we will be able to chase down later. It has been tough but we have been used to it. It has been a good tournament so far. Would want to go one better today. Two forced changes for us.”
Namibia win toss
Namibia win toss, opt to bowl first.
Spin likely to dominate proceedings
Sharjah has assisted the spinners most in this World Cup. In Super 12s alone, the spinners have scalped 35 wickets and conceded runs at an economy of less than seven per over.
Maiden encounter
This is the first-ever meeting between New Zealand and Namibia in T20I.
Complete squads:
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wk), James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Mark Chapman, Adam Milne, Kyle Jamieson, Todd Astle.
Namibia: Gerhard Erasmus (c), Stephan Baard, JJ Smit, Karl Birkenstock, Jan Frylinck, Ben Shikongo, Bernard Scholtz, Craig Williams, Michael van Lingen, Ruben Trumpelmann, Zane Green, David Wiese, Pikky Ya France, Michau du Preez, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton
Area of concern for Kiwis
After a remarkable win against India and Scotland, skipper Kane Williamson still feels that his side's bowling has been slightly patchy, an area which they would like to improve upon. "We were patchy with the ball but we need to move on. Credit to Scotland for the way they played and hit the ball out of the park. We were tested and we need to learn from this," skipper Williamson had said.
Problems in the Namibian camp
Namibia batters have so far got good starts but they have failed to carry forward the momentum, resulting in the failure to convert it into big scores. If the side manages to get a big total on the board, they have strong chances of setting up an upset against a formidable New Zealand.
Namibia also has been heavily reliant on David Wiese but this time others also would be needed to chip in.
Mood in the other camp
Namibia, on the other hand, have produced a remarkable display considering this is their maiden appearance in the tournament. Despite the defeat against Pakistan in their previous encounter, the team put up a spirited show and would be look to repeat it again and cause an upset, setting the perfect tone for the tournament.
New Zealand's campaign so far
After going down against Pakistan, the Kane Williamson led-unit have recorded two consecutive wins -- first defeating India by 8 wickets and then edging past Scotland by 16 runs. Can they turn it into a hattrick?
Hello and welcome!
Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage of the T20 World Cup match between New Zealand and Namibia, which will be played at the Sharjah Stadium. The match will start at 3:30 PM (IST) and the toss will take place at 3:00 PM.
