As the T20 World Cup draws to a close for some teams, New Zealand finally showcased their prowess with a dominant performance against Uganda. Despite this convincing victory, the damage was already done by their two earlier defeats, which, coupled with three wins each by West Indies and Afghanistan, sealed New Zealand's fate and marked the first time since 2014 that they won’t feature in the semifinals of a limited-overs World Cup. Eager to leave on a high note, New Zealand will aim for a decisive win against Papua New Guinea in their final match.
New Zealand's early exits can be attributed to the underwhelming performances of key players like Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Devon Conway in their initial games. They struggled to chase 159 against Afghanistan, collapsing to 75 all out and fell short by 13 runs in a chase against the West Indies. However, against Uganda, the Blackcaps' bowlers ensured there was minimal pressure on their batsmen by dismissing Uganda for a mere 40 runs, which New Zealand then chased down in just 5.1 overs for their first win of the tournament. As they prepare to face Papua New Guinea, they also look to give a fitting farewell to Trent Boult, who has announced this will be his last T20 World Cup.
For Papua New Guinea, the objective is to conclude their campaign positively. They started their tournament with a spirited performance against the West Indies, nearly defending a total of 136. Despite a hard-fought effort to protect a low score of 77 against Uganda and another tough match against Afghanistan, which sealed New Zealand’s exit and confirmed Afghanistan’s Super 8 spot, PNG has shown resilience. They now look to summon all their strength to challenge New Zealand in their concluding game.
Match Details
- Date and Time: Monday, June 17 at 10:30 AM Local Time (8:00 PM IST)
- Venue: Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
- Conditions: Expect another low-scoring affair on a bowler-friendly pitch. Rain is likely, with thunderstorms predicted for match day.
Team News
New Zealand
Ish Sodhi is yet to play in this World Cup, and he might replace Mitchell Santner in the line up. Matt Henry, having played only one game, could be an option to step in for Lockie Ferguson.
- Probable XI: Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner/Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson/Matt Henry.
Papua New Guinea
With Jack Gardner and Hila Vare yet to make an appearance in this World Cup, PNG might give them a chance in their final match.
- Probable XI: Tony Ura, Assad Vala (c), Lega Siaka/Jack Gardner, Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri/Hila Vare, Chad Soper, Kiplin Doriga (wk), Norman Vanua, Alei Nao, John Kariko, Semo Kamea.
What They Said
Reflecting on the situation, Trent Boult accentuated the pride within the team and their commitment to representing their country. He acknowledged the challenges they faced over the past weeks and the disappointment of not qualifying but expressed confidence in the emerging talent within New Zealand cricket. Boult noted that despite the recent setbacks, the team’s spirit remains strong, and they continue to play with dedication.
As both New Zealand and Papua New Guinea look to end their T20 World Cup campaigns with a win, the match promises to be a battle of resilience and pride.