Cricket World Cup 2019: Williamson praises Warner's impact on Australia ODI side

Sport360 staff 21:26 28/06/2019
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  • Kane Williamson insists he is not obsessing about Australian danger man David Warner ahead their showdown at Lord’s.

    New Zealand’s captain suffered his first defeat at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup as the Black Caps found themselves on the wrong side of a six wicket loss to Pakistan at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

    And he’ll be looking to bounce straight back against Australia in what promises to be a day/night thriller at the ‘Home of Cricket’.

    With 500 runs to his name, no batsmen has eclipsed the runs made by Warner in recent weeks, with Williamson fifth in the standings with 414 from just five innings.

    Warner’s danger with bat in hand is therefore clear for all to see – but the New Zealand captain knows better than most just how threatening he can be.

    The two were in the same dugout for Sunrisers Hyderabad in this year’s Indian Premier League, though Williamson knows focusing on just one Australian batsman is not the way to go.

    “Day-in, day-out, he’s one of the top players for a reason,” he said. “He’s able to adjust to conditions and continued to improve his game.

    “Warner has been instrumental on the Australian side, he’s adapted his game and been able to help put his side in a position of strength.

    “We know he’s a very good player but we want to worry about us and what we want to achieve with the ball in hand, with the bat, and always importantly for us, it’s how we operate with our attitude in the field.”

    Williamson knows a win at Lord’s would guarantee New Zealand’s place in the final four – Australia have already banked their slot  –  with a game to play, their  final group fixture a date with England at Chester-le-Street.

    And he’s expecting a red-hot atmosphere in addition to red-hot temperatures, with forecasters predicting 30 degrees and rising in London.

    “Usually you come to Lord’s and there’s a quiet murmur when you play England but it might be a little bit different when you have Kiwis and Australians filling out the seats,” he added.

    “It will be a really good atmosphere and I know for a fact that both teams are just looking forward to getting into the cricket.

    “Australia have been playing really good cricket but when you come to a World Cup, anybody can beat anybody. We’ve seen that on different occasions already in this tournament.

    “It’s going to be a great occasion. It always is when you have the opportunity to play Australia, but obviously here at this ground it’s an extra exciting prospect.”

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