Follow UsThe build-up to the second semi-final between India and England have been quite controversial. Given that India were automatically pre-seeded to play at the Providence Stadium in the second semi-final, it has stirred up a controversy that the Men in Blue have an unfair advantage over the Three Lions.
However, at the pre-match press conference, both camps played down that ‘advantage factor’, with England’s head coach Matthew Mott stating that no one was at any advantage or disadvantage going into the clash in Guyana.
“Yeah, I don't think anyone starts at an advantage or disadvantage in a semi-final. I think it's who adapts the quickest. I think you can come in with preconceived ideas, but our mantra has always been playing what's in front of us,” Mott said at the pre-match press conference.
Mott, instead, insisted that the key for the Three Lions has been their ability to get intel and have a good read of the conditions. He also added that that crucial piece of ‘communication’ could set up the game for them. Interestingly, England will be aided by Kieron Pollard’s wealth of experience, with the former West Indies all-rounder now serving as England’s batting coach.
“So, the intel that we can get in those first couple of overs, whether it's with the bat or the ball, that’s been a real strong suit in this competition, the communication back and forth about what to expect, what ends to maybe target with the wind.”
“I've arrived today, there's no wind today, but we can expect that there will be some wind. And probably the key advantage for us is having someone like Kieron Pollard in our camp, whose intel on all the islands and what we can expect has been invaluable. He's got a great presence within our group and the way he goes about it,” he added.
“So, look, I think both teams, we're going to go out there and throw punches at each other for 40-odd overs. So, it's going to be a great contest. I think it's the contest that everyone's wanted to see, and we're excited by it,” he added.
While spinners have been extremely successful at the venue, with an average of 14.5 and an economy rate of 5.5, Mott believes that their success is due to the venue's ‘lack of bounce’.
“Yeah, it's a great question because I think the perception that this ground spins is actually not right. I think if you look at the spin numbers, it's not the biggest spinning ground, but spin is used a lot, so it's obviously effective here. I think from what we're reading into it, it's more to do with the lack of bounce,” he said.
“So clearly if you're bowling spin and you're bringing the wickets into play, it's harder to get away. And if you stay there, which both spin bowling units will do, I'm sure, and they'll make it harder for the batsman to access behind the wicket so you can shut off certain parts of the ground I think that's probably why it's been effective and the sheer quality of the spin that's on display is obviously come to the fore throughout the tournament,” he added.
While there was obviously a concern over Jos Buttler’s form during the early stages of the competition, the England captain has since then wiped all those cobwebs off with a 38-ball 83 against the United States of America, where he smashed seven sixes, including five in Harmeet Singh’s single over.
“Yeah, I really do, I think Jos's leadership keeps evolving every day, I think already as a player he's got two world titles under his belt, which not many people have. He's captained one and there's an opportunity for us to go further in this tournament, one that we're all relishing. He in particular looks at the top of his game and when he's leading from the front and batting like that, every side feeds off that,” Mott spoke on Buttler.
“I think we've got some great players around him that love the way he [Buttler] plays. But probably the most important thing is how much of our bowling groups evolved under his [Buttler] captaincy. I think from the game against Australia where we got a few things wrong, I think from that point on they've really shown the way and adapted the conditions extremely well.”
India and England obviously will be at the loggerhead on June 27 (Thursday) in Guyana but Mott was appreciative of the Men in Blue’s progress since their last meeting in Adelaide. Mott applauded India’s progress, stating that the entire clash comes down to the finest of margins, and whichever team grabs those opportunities will turn out on the right side.
“I think what India has done incredibly well over the last few years is put themselves in semi-finals contention and the flip side to that is when you don't win people look at that as a negative - But I think the consistency that they've shown over a length of time shows what a great group of players they are. And like anyone, when you get to the semi-final stage, every team, and the four teams out here, all think they're a chance to win it,” he said.
“And there's small margins. So, if you take those key moments at the right time, you get over the line, if you don't, you go home. Everyone knows the consequences of missing out but also the potential to go through, play two really good games and you go away the title.”
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