New Zealand are out of the Super 8s contention. Uganda were never realistically expected to make it to the next stage anyway. Essentially this game is a dead rubber now. But a consolatory win could help both teams to end on a good note. For New Zealand, winning this game would be more like trying to hold the box of their bad memories with a single, flimsy thread. For Uganda, it would mean ending in third place, which for a World Cup debutant is a crack in the dam.
The Kiwis have been managing to end up in the knockout stages of mega-events for more than a decade now. They have been tantalizingly close to silverware in as many as three ICC Tournaments but failed each time to bring it home. There was always that x-factor missing from their team, even during their last edition when they had everything to beat the teams to the trophy. Unfortunately, the absence of that x-factor has only grown over the years, to the point that it has visibly hurt them badly during this campaign. This paired with their unpreparedness in the unforgiving and alien American conditions brought along embarrassing defeats for them. They have to face Uganda and PNG now, and these are the fixtures they are likely to win but that would do little to silence the critics.
Team Overview:
Having anchors to build the innings is one thing, filling all the batting spots with players who like to take it slow is another. Starting from Devon Conway in the opening position to the middle order, the Kiwi batters are not really a good suit for the fast-paced T20I format. To think, it was nearly the same lineup that reached the semi-finals in the last edition makes one wonder what went wrong this time. Some management decisions, a few on-field fumbles, and injuries plagued them into vulnerability. Making things worse, their bowlers failed to put up the deadly show they usually do. At the Providence Stadium, the average first-inning score is 130 and the Kiwi bowlers allowed Afghanistan to score 159 runs. This onslaught ended only when there were no more balls left to be bowled in the innings. Although the Afghanistan team’s brilliance was one of the factors behind that ginormous total, this does not change the fact that the Kane Williamson-led team was sloppy with the ball as well as on the field.
Uganda were able to get the better of PNG and showed everyone how they made it to the mega-event. If anything, this campaign will give a much-needed boost to the cricket dreams of the country. From what has been seen through the media interactions with the Ugandan players, their passion for the game is boundless. Similar is the case with the country in general. More such mega-events could metamorphose them into a decent side. The gap in their batting lineup can only be filled with young blood and for that, this sport needs to become a part of Ugandan streets. To the point, that locals instead of ex-pats become their cult heroes.
Head-to-Head Matches:
New Zealand and Uganda will meet at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium for the first time in T20Is. The stage could not ever have been more perfect for this encounter.
Weather and Pitch Report:
Unlike the rain that is drenching every game in Florida, the co-hosting venue is likely to stay dry. Brian Lara Cricket Stadium has a sluggish surface and offers plenty to the spinners. Pacers would also love to roll their arms over at this surface and a low-scoring game can be expected.
Prediction:
Although it does not matter who wins now, New Zealand are likely to triumph over Uganda to brush whatever dust they can off. But dont expect this win to come without any fight from the African team.
Where to Watch:
You can watch the games on the following platforms as per your region:
- India – Star Sports
- Pakistan – PTV Sports, Ten Sports, Myco (Live streaming) and Tamasha app (Live streaming)
- USA and Canada – Willow TV
- England – Sky Sports Network
- Caribbean – ESPN Caribbean
- New Zealand & Australia – Sky Sports NZ, Prime Video
- Other regions – SuperSport, Sirasa, CricLife, STARZPLAY
