Asia Cup 2023: 'Indian Players Will Have Solid Game Plans To Tackle Shaheen Afridi, Trent Boult' - Tim Southee

The veteran New Zealand National Cricket Team pacer Tim Southee has said that the world-class Team India batters will have solid game plans to tackle the threat of the left-arm seamers in the Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023. He also feels Asia Cup will help the Men In Blue to prepare well for the World Cup at home.

Asia Cup 2023 is set to begin on Wednesday, August 30, and it will end on Sunday, September 17. India will open their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday, September 2 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. Following the Asia Cup, India will host the World Cup alone for the first time, having previously served as co-hosts.

Meanwhile, Tim Southee said that there’s nothing better than participating in a tournament like Asia Cup before entering the 50-over World Cup.

“I guess ideally you want to play as much as you can together and to lead into a World Cup. But I think you look at the Asia Cup, and what better place to have your team together around that? “I’d imagine that is going to be a big part of the Indian team’s preparation at the Asia Cup,” Southee told the media on the sidelines of the Ceat Cricket Rating Award on Monday, as quoted by PTI.

Indian batters have always struggled while facing the left-arm pacers, but Southee feels that they will have solid plans to deal with the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Trent Boult.

“I don’t know what it is, but it was always handy to have a left-armer — something probably people don’t face a lot of. Those two guys that you mentioned, Shaheen Shah and Trent Boult, are quality bowlers and have caused a lot of players headaches over the years,” said the Kiwi bowler.

“I do not think it is too much of an issue. I’m sure the Indian players — world-class players — will have solid game plans to whoever bowler they come up against,” he added.

Kane is doing everything possible to make sure he’s alright for the World Cup – Tim Southee

Tim Southee also gave an update on Kane Williamson, saying that the star Kiwi batter is working very hard to get match-fit ahead of the World Cup, but currently, there’s no confirmation on whether he will be fit for the marquee tournament.

“Kane is doing everything possible to make sure he’s alright for the World Cup. We won’t know until we get closer to the World Cup, whether he will be available or not. I guess it is just wait and see with Kane,” he said.

“(If) you look at us, with such a small cricketing nation, he’s arguably one of our best ever cricketers. Any side that doesn’t have him in it is going to miss him. We’re hoping his recovery goes well and hoping that he’s going to be okay, but if he doesn’t, then it presents an opportunity for someone else to step up,” Southee said.

“Over the last couple of years we’ve been able to build some depth from some players and I’m sure we’ll find someone that can fill that role,” he added.

New Zealand will take on England in the first match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, the Men In Blue will open their World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.