Tim Southee Discusses England's Strategy Ahead of T20 World Cup Clash with New Zealand
England Prepares for T20 World Cup Showdown
Colombo [Sri Lanka], February 26: As England gears up for their ICC T20 World Cup match against New Zealand, bowling coach Tim Southee shared insights on working with pace bowler Jofra Archer and expressed confidence in Jos Buttler's ability to regain form at the crease.
Although England has yet to deliver a flawless performance, they are set to face New Zealand in their final Super Eight match on Friday. Having already secured a place in the semifinals, thanks to Harry Brook's outstanding performance against Pakistan, the team aims to build momentum heading into the knockout stage.
During a pre-match press conference, Southee, who is New Zealand's all-time leading wicket-taker, praised Archer's enthusiasm for the game. The fast bowler has been England's standout performer in the T20 World Cup, claiming 10 wickets in six matches with an impressive average of 20.10 and best figures of 2/20.
"He is undoubtedly a talented bowler. I have faced him in the past, but over the last year, I've come to appreciate his approach to the game. His passion for cricket and bowling is evident, making it a pleasure to work with him," Southee remarked.
Southee noted that he doesn't need to provide Archer with specific advice to enhance his bowling, highlighting his exceptional skill set. "He possesses an incredible ability to move the ball and has so much talent that sometimes it can be overwhelming. The key is to focus on what works best in the moment. He has performed exceptionally well in recent matches, and I hope he continues this trend," he added.
In addition to Archer, all-rounder Jamie Overton has also made significant contributions, taking nine wickets in five matches at an average of 12.55, with his best performance being 3/18. Southee, who shares a similar height with Overton, recognizes the many strengths in his bowling, particularly his pace and movement. He emphasized the importance of discussing effective lengths for Sri Lanka's slower pitches.
The conversation also turned to Buttler, who has been a key player for England's limited-overs team for over a decade. Despite his impressive career statistics, he has struggled in the current tournament, managing only 62 runs in six innings, with a top score of 26.
"I don't think anyone doubts Buttler's quality. His track record speaks for itself, marking him as one of England's finest white-ball batsmen. However, every player experiences slumps at some point in their career. Sometimes, it just takes one good innings to turn things around," Southee explained.
Even with a semifinal spot already secured and the pressure lifted for this final Super 8 match, Southee emphasized the team's desire to perform well in every game. He noted that the squad has discovered various players who can step up and secure victories.
"We had a successful T20 series against Sri Lanka in these conditions. We've won in different ways, which is encouraging, as we haven't yet played a perfect game across all formats. However, we've still managed to find ways to win, which is a positive sign. If we can put together our best performance, it will be exciting to watch. Different players have contributed in various ways, and I believe those who haven't yet made a significant impact are just on the verge of doing so," he concluded.
Squads:
England Squad: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook(c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Ben Duckett, Luke Wood, Josh Tongue, Rehan Ahmed
New Zealand Squad: Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, James Neesham, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway.