✪ England-NZ semifinal: Captain Cool versus Captain Calm
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”3px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”width: 75% !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element_phone=”width: 100% !important;” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”width: 75% !important;”][et_pb_blurb title=”K R Nayar” image=”https://cricketlovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/K-R-Nayar1.png” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”1100px” image_icon_width_tablet=”” image_icon_width_phone=”” image_icon_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” content_max_width_tablet=”” content_max_width_phone=”” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Poppins|700|||on||||” header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”#E02B20″ header_font_size=”16px” body_font=”Poppins||||||||” body_text_align=”left” body_text_color=”#565656″ custom_padding=”|||550px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|||20px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_image=”width:70px;” image_max_width_tablet=”” image_max_width_phone=”” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Senior cricket writer & analyst
[/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”8px||||false|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Abu Dhabi. The England-New Zealand semifinal is expected to be a repeat of the 2019 Cricket World Cup (50 over) final. That final ended in a tie and England lifted the World Cup based on more boundaries scored in the match. This semifinal clash at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium, however, will be different where not only boundaries but every single run will matter.
This story was published in News Trail, Bangalore
England has put up a splendid show in this tournament; the only match they lost was against South Africa. New Zealand lost their first match against Pakistan but bounced back to win all the rest of their matches. The question is whether England bounces back from the defeat or can New Zealand extend their winning streak?
For many, England is the favourite since they beat strong teams like Australia, West Indies and Sri Lanka in the group stage matches. New Zealand’s victory over India is the only one that can be termed brilliant. Since South Africa showed that England can be beaten, now it is New Zealand’s turn to take revenge for the 2019 World Cup defeat.
There are many similarities between the two teams. Both captains have nearly similar personalities. If England’s skipper Eoin Morgan is ‘Captain Cool’, then New Zealand’s skipper is ‘Captain Calm’. Both have fierce determination in them and are inspiring leaders. Over the years they have shown that they have the skill to bring the best out of their players. So the winner will be the team whose players deliver for them.
T20, unlike the 50 over format, is based on quick thinking and execution of plans. The game can change in just a few overs, and hence when two equally balanced teams battle for a place in the final, the role entrusted to each of the players and how they deliver on the field matters most.
Unfortunately, England has been hit by injuries. Injury to in-form Jason Roy and Tymal Mills could impact their balance. On the other hand, the Kiwis are at their best, especially pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee and opener Martin Guptill. For the many neutral cricket fans who are likely to flock to this neutral venue, it could be nothing but sitting back and enjoying the best of cricket on display.
England fans will outnumber New Zealand and once again prove how vociferous they can be while supporting their team. Toss and dew will once again be crucial, and both captains are aware that the team that will be able to overcome these two hurdles will emerge as the winner. Interestingly, there have been numerous comments stating that teams that batted first here have repeatedly failed to post a big score. But then, there have been teams that batted first and won too. So an intense battle between the ball and bat is in the offing.
This World cup has repeatedly proven the experts wrong. Defending champions West Indies and favourties India crashed out early. It was also predicted that spinners would rule on the UAE wickets. However, pacers too have been extremely successful. Hence one cannot react predict whether it will be the day of England spinners Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone or the dangerous New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi.
Cricket fans will have a great day if England’s Jonathan Bairstow or Jos Buttler hits form. Maybe it could be someone else who may raise his game. What is needed for both teams is a splendid show from their players, and then cricket will be at its full splendor in this semifinal.
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