New Zealand Won’t Carry Burden of India Loss Into Semi-Final: Henry

New Zealand entered their final group game against India on the back of two comprehensive wins in their other group games, but their unbeaten run came to an end as they slipped to a 44-run defeat at the hands of the Men in Blue in Dubai. As a result, the Kiwis will now take on South Africa in the semi-final in Lahore on the back of finishing second in their group.

Going into a semi-final with a loss is not ideal, but the Blackcaps’ ace speedster Matt Henry insisted that his side will not carry the burden of the India loss into the semis.

“No, I wouldn't have thought so,” he said, when asked if the India defeat would affect the Kiwis in the semis.

“We've been playing some really good cricket throughout this tournament. And obviously, we're going to get on the plane this morning. And we'll obviously take our learnings from this game, but also understand the conditions when we go to Pakistan. 

“And we've played a few games in that tri-series there. And we'll be ready to face the semifinal.”

Henry was the star of the game for the Kiwis against India, registering figures of 5/42 off the 8 overs he bowled. In a devastating new-ball spell, he removed both Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill and had figures of 5-0-26-2 after the completion of his spell.

The right-armer spoke about how it’s key to dent quality teams like India up-front, as otherwise they’ll overpower the bowling due to the strength in depth they have.

“Yeah, I think anytime you come up against a good opposition, especially a side like India where taking wickets is so important. So being up front, making sure that you can extract any swing or movement off the wicket's really important,” Henry said.

“You don't have too much time to waste with the new ball. It does get soft and doesn't move for very long. The key is to be accurate, but also to put teams under pressure.”

New Zealand and South Africa are both former ICC Champions Trophy (previously Knockout Cup) champions and one of these two will be making the final this time around, hoping to end their trophy drought (in white-ball events, in the case of New Zealand). The speedster labelled the Proteas a ‘quality team’ but asserted that his side would be up for the challenge.

“South Africa have been playing some fantastic cricket and are a very well-balanced side,” he said. 

“They've obviously got a lot of power in that batting line-up, but they've obviously got a serious bowling attack as well. So yeah, semi-final cricket, finals cricket, it's always exciting and it's always great when you're playing against the best teams.”

New Zealand will take on South Africa in Lahore on February 5 (Wednesday).