T20 World Cup 2021: New Zealand Head Coach Gary Stead Not Concerned About Losses In The Warm-Up Fixtures

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead was quite confident that the losses in the warm-up games will not affect their campaign when the T20 Worldcup starts and was happy to try out things. The Kiwis went on to lose two close encounters against Australia and England, and it wasn’t the ideal start for them in the warm-up games. The batting department has looked slightly depleted, and they lost wickets in a bundle.

In the first warm-up fixture against Australia, they were in control of the game until Ashton Agar and Mitchell Starc played quickfire cameos in the end and took the men in yellow to victory with just one ball to spare. In the second warm-up fixture against England, New Zealand bowled well in the first innings but kept losing wickets in the chase and ended up 13 runs short of the target.

Gary Stead Stresses On Giving Match Time To Everyone

Gary Stead mentioned that the players needed match time more than winning the warm-up fixtures and reckoned that it was important to suit players for different roles. He added that the humidity and heat in UAE conditions are hard for the players to play three games in five days.

“Really, the three games for us have just been about getting everyone some match time,”

“It’s been making sure we’ve slotted people in in roles they might play, and managing our bowlers as well.

“Three games in five days might not sound much but when you have the heat and humidity that he have here, it’s pretty sapping,” Gary Stead mentioned.

Gary Stead Reveals On Kane Williamson’s Injury

Kane Williamson did not take part in the second warm-up fixture against England, and Gary Stead confirmed that Williamson’s injury has bloated up a little. He added that the preparations will be key to Williamson’s injury concerns and was ready to see the progress of the skipper throughout the tournament.

“Kane’s elbow flared up a bit after the (Australia) match so today was more precautionary than anything,”

“We just feel if we can get his preparation right and not overhitting and aggravating it in training, that gives him the best chance of being right throughout the tournament.

“I think on the whole, we’re tracking really well,” He added.

New Zealand will play their first Super 12 stage game against Pakistan on October 26.

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