After the T20 World Cup, the cricket-playing nations are revealing their schedule for the upcoming season. They are all set to concentrate on the upcoming games. Similarly, New Zealand cricket has also announced its summer schedule. As Kane Williamson will not be a part of Blackcaps’ summer schedule, Tom Latham urged the seniors to take more responsibility.
Williamson’s Absence and Latham’s View:
In the recently ended T20 World Cup, New Zealand had a forgettable season. While starting the tournament with consecutive setbacks, the Kiwis exited the tournament from the group stage, which was a huge setback for them. Under Kane Williamson’s captaincy, the team failed to deliver their best performance.
Williamson stepped down as captain of New Zealand’s white-ball team after they exited the T20 World Cup early. In January, instead of playing for the Black Caps, he will focus on T20 franchise cricket in South Africa.
While meeting the press after their summer schedule came out, Tom Latham addressed it as a bigger opportunity. He said, “I think we’ve seen over many years now at times we haven’t had those senior guys whether they’re playing in the IPL or having a rest.”
Later he added, “From my point of view it gives me an opportunity as a senior player to step up and lead as well. But also other guys that haven’t necessarily had those opportunities in the past to step up as well in different leadership roles.”
Further, he added, “It’s never great when you miss guys of Kane’s calibre but it gives opportunities to other guys to put their best foot forward.”
Southee to Lead the Team:
New Zealand’s home summer begins with a three-test series against England starting on November 28 in Christchurch, followed by a white-ball series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Notably, the England series will be the only test cricket played in New Zealand during this period. After Williamson relinquished the captaincy, the full-time test captain role went to fast bowler Tim Southee, leaving Tom Latham behind.
Latham said players can only try to adapt to the changing situation. Jokingly, he said, “There’s no test franchise stuff. So if that comes out, that’d be great. But yeah, I think cricket nowadays you’ve got to be so flexible with the skill-set that you have.”
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