NEW DELHI:
New Zealand
's
T20 World Cup
campaign is underway, but not without its initial challenges. Head Coach
Gary Stead
acknowledges the team's ongoing adaptation to the Guyana timezone, a common hurdle for teams arriving from various corners of the globe. This adjustment has been particularly noticeable in players experiencing jetlag, impacting sleep schedules and potentially affecting preparation.
Despite these early setbacks, the team remains optimistic.
With their first match against Afghanistan scheduled as the 14th game of the tournament, Stead believes there is sufficient time for players to overcome jetlag and acclimatize fully.
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"You don't always get ideal [situations] when people are coming from all over the world. And one of the things we have found here is jetlag probably hits you a little bit hard. I know a number of people have been up in the middle of the night, which isn't great for your preparation, but thankfully we have enough time leading in being the 14th game of the tournament that guys can sort that out," Stead told ESPNcricinfo.
Adding to the team's early hurdles, rain disruptions in Guyana have limited the Kiwis to just two full training sessions. This lack of on-ground preparation time could be a concern, especially considering the team's late arrival and limited opportunity to assess the Guyana pitch.
On a positive note, Stead confirmed the full fitness of the 15-player squad. This includes the return of hard-hitting opener
Finn Allen
, who had previously been sidelined due to a back injury sustained during the Pakistan series. Allen's availability provides a significant boost to the team's batting lineup.
"He's progressing well, has taken a full part in training so at this stage, touch wood, we are 100 per cent with no injuries," he said.
"We've tried to select a group of guys who we think are adaptable and can adapt to the different roles and situations in the match. When you look at our squad it's been the strength of a number of players in the past, working out what par is on any given pitch," Stead commented.
Looking ahead to their opening match, the New Zealand camp will undoubtedly analyze the Afghanistan-Uganda clash on the same Guyana pitch. This analysis will be crucial in strategizing for their encounter with Afghanistan, allowing them to exploit any observed advantages or weaknesses of the playing surface.
(Inputs from ANI)
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