ICC World Cup 2019: Kane Williamson Reveals Tom Latham Availability Against Sri Lanka

Taking your opponents lightly is the last mistake one can make in any kind of sport and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is not amongst them. New Zealand will begin their World Cup campaign against underdogs Sri Lanka and the previous edition runners-up will start as favourites. Williamson also provided an update on the injury of Tom Latham, who is cleared to play against Sri Lanka.

However, Kane Williamson wants his teammates to be at the top of their game. New Zealand has played some impressive cricket in the recent past and they would not like to leave any stone unturned.

Meanwhile, it is expected that there the scores around 350 will be a norm in the ongoing World Cup. However, Williamson believes that there would be matches in which the totals would be less and then the adjustment will need to be made by the teams.

New Zealand will start as favourites.

“There has been a lot of talk about really high scores but I think there will be a number of games where that isn’t the case and it will require adjustment,” Williamson told reporters on Friday.

“Guys maybe will have to push harder on a particular surface on a given day, but equally it might be about adjusting to what one-day cricket used to look a little bit like. Scores that are a bit lower and much more of that scrappy type.

“There will not be one way to play. We know that not every game will be a 350 score, and it’s important to be made aware of that as we go throughout this tournament.”

On the other hand, New Zealand had whitewashed 3-0 when Sri Lanka had toured them last year. However, it would be a different Sri Lankan team that would be playing in the World Cup. Hence, New Zealand skipper is not taking anything for granted.

Don’t want to take Sri Lanka lightly.

“I don’t know how much the past really counts for as we come into a tournament. It is on the day and we know in this competition that every team can beat any of the other teams,” Kane Williamson said.

“We are certainly treating all of our matches like that and want to bring the focus back onto the cricket we want to play.

“We know the Sri Lanka side is a bit different to the one we played at home, but we have no doubt that they are a tough side.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham has also recuperated from the finger injury. The southpaw batsman is all cleared to partake in the team’s opener against Sri Lanka. Latham had missed New Zealand’s warm-up match against India and the Windies.

Latham is fit – Kane Williamson.

“Yeah, so fairly exciting for Tom. He’s progressed nicely and will be available tomorrow, which is great news. He’s very much looking forward to that,” Kane Williamson said.

New Zealand will take on Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 1st June.