WELLINGTON, (Reuters) – New Zealand beat Australia in the Twenty20 series to maintain their perfect home season on Sunday in a timely boost for Kane Williamson’s team who will have two opportunities this year to shed their perennial maiden status of the game.
The Black Caps shifted their batting routine, showed faith in part-time bowlers, and displayed tactical flexibility to a 3-2 defeat over Australia and make it five wins from so many home series this season.
The win is all the more important as they will be chasing their title before marrying the Twenty20 World Cup in India later this year.
New Zealand has never won a major world title, losing the last two World Cup 50 overs and never reaching the Twenty20 World Finals.
Eight players, including Williamson, are expected to miss the Twenty20 series at home against Bangladesh to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting April 9.
The team hopes to benefit from their experience and head coach Gary Stead believes the mandatory rejoining will give him a better idea of their strength in depth ahead of the World Cup.
“If it works out that there will be some players that we don’t play because they go to the IPL, the good thing for us is that you consider who might be in an extended squad that n going to the World Cup, Stead told www.stuff.co.nz.
Cricket New Zealand is hopeful that top players can jump the queue and receive COVID-19 vaccines before leaving for India and later in England, the website says.
Williamson’s team will also compete for the top honor in the longest format of the game after reaching the final of the first World Test Championship against India in June.
New Zealand will return to England two years after losing the 2019 ODI World Cup on a boundary count after Super Over in an incredible tie-up final against the hosts at Lord’s.
A two-Test series against England should be the perfect preparation for the New Zealanders before they face India’s Virat Kohli in the WTC final at the home of cricket starting on June 18.