New Delhi: New Zealand’s impressive record in the Champions Trophy make them genuine contenders for the title, believes the recently-retired seamer Tim Southee.
The Kiwis have won their maiden world title when they won the Champions Trophy in 2000 and were the beaten finalists in 2009. They were also the runner-up in the 2019 ODI World Cup and semi-finalist in 2023 ODI World Cup.
Southee believes the current team under Daryl Mitchell have it in them to follow in the footsteps of their 2000 team under Stephen Fleming.
“If you look at the track record of New Zealand in ICC events, they are always there or thereabouts. In a tournament like the Champions Trophy, if you get on a bit of a roll, anything can happen. I’d love to see the Black Caps there and hopefully lifting the trophy at the end,” he said to the ICC.
Southee also backed their batting quintet of Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Mitchell and Glenn Phillips to score heavily in the tournament that begins with their game against hosts Pakistan on February 19 in Karachi.
“That is what sets those four or five batters apart from the rest. They are able to sum up conditions, sum up moments in games and more times than not, they come out on the right side of things. He (Williamson) brings a calmness to the group,” he said.
Praise for Santner
Southee lauded left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner for the way he led the team to victory over hosts Pakistan and South Africa in a tri-series just before the Champions Trophy.
“Mitch has done a great job as captain. It’s still reasonably new to him but I experienced a bit of his captaincy towards the end of my career. He’s very calm, you see that in the way he plays his cricket,” he said.
“He thinks about the game well and I think he looks to lead with his performances across all three areas. He’s one of best fielders, an unbelievably skilful bowler and a more-than-useful batter. So, I’m sure he’ll be looking to lead in all those three areas.”
New Zealand won their maiden ICC title when they won the Champions Trophy in 2000 and were beaten in the final of its 2009 edition. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
