Williamson said Afghanistan is a well-balanced team with strong spin options as well as fast bowlers and batsmen.
“They are a team that has grown and developed every year and certainly some of the players involved in franchise cricket are well aware of the capabilities of the talent and world-class skills that exist within their team. There were strong spin options, but now they are a very well-balanced team with the seamers and the batting, so a tough challenge against a team that is playing well and moving a lot.' Williamson at the pre-match press conference.
“For us, we know there are strong teams in this competition and it often comes down to our cricket.We say this often, so it's about the cricket we want to play and focusing on our plans and the roles we have in our team," he added.
Asked about New Zealand's preparations for the Afghanistan challenge, Williamson talked about practicing a lot and keeping an eye on the World Cup games in Guyana.
"We are mainly training during the day and there are some big differences between day and night in terms of conditions. But looking at the few matches that have been played, it feels like it is a fair wicket, a good wicket, a Fair wicket.Also, it is a little good for the bowlers but equally good for the batsmen."
"There are a number of players who were involved in the IPL, and only a few were playing regularly, so I think there were still opportunities to train and put time into their game which is good," he said.
"But everyone comes from different places, whether it's taking time off at home or for other cricketers around the world. So, when you come together as a team, it's always good. You try to reconnect as a group and start preparing for whatever happens." Right around the corner, which has apparently been the case for this major event for some time.
New Zealand have yet to win a white-ball World Cup, despite reaching the knockout or title stage in each of their last five global tournaments. But Williamson insisted on taking things one day at a time and focusing on the challenges facing him on a particular match day.
“There are some good memories for us, but don't give it too much importance in terms of coming to another event and our focus is on the challenges that we have in front of us and it's a slightly different format in terms of the layout of the competition in our pool, This is an attempt to start well and perform strongly.
“We know it's about 10 days until our first match, but once we start, the matches come quite fast.So, it's about trying to start well and move forward and know that if we play well, it gives us the best chance to go as far as possible in any tournament, so, we're looking forward to our first game tomorrow. Looking forward to the game. Afghanistan is a very strong team and then (we) are just taking one game at a time," he concluded.
“They are a team that has grown and developed every year and certainly some of the players involved in franchise cricket are well aware of the capabilities of the talent and world-class skills that exist within their team. There were strong spin options, but now they are a very well-balanced team with the seamers and the batting, so a tough challenge against a team that is playing well and moving a lot.' Williamson at the pre-match press conference.
“For us, we know there are strong teams in this competition and it often comes down to our cricket.We say this often, so it's about the cricket we want to play and focusing on our plans and the roles we have in our team," he added.
Asked about New Zealand's preparations for the Afghanistan challenge, Williamson talked about practicing a lot and keeping an eye on the World Cup games in Guyana.
"We are mainly training during the day and there are some big differences between day and night in terms of conditions. But looking at the few matches that have been played, it feels like it is a fair wicket, a good wicket, a Fair wicket.Also, it is a little good for the bowlers but equally good for the batsmen."
"There are a number of players who were involved in the IPL, and only a few were playing regularly, so I think there were still opportunities to train and put time into their game which is good," he said.
"But everyone comes from different places, whether it's taking time off at home or for other cricketers around the world. So, when you come together as a team, it's always good. You try to reconnect as a group and start preparing for whatever happens." Right around the corner, which has apparently been the case for this major event for some time.
New Zealand have yet to win a white-ball World Cup, despite reaching the knockout or title stage in each of their last five global tournaments. But Williamson insisted on taking things one day at a time and focusing on the challenges facing him on a particular match day.
“There are some good memories for us, but don't give it too much importance in terms of coming to another event and our focus is on the challenges that we have in front of us and it's a slightly different format in terms of the layout of the competition in our pool, This is an attempt to start well and perform strongly.
“We know it's about 10 days until our first match, but once we start, the matches come quite fast.So, it's about trying to start well and move forward and know that if we play well, it gives us the best chance to go as far as possible in any tournament, so, we're looking forward to our first game tomorrow. Looking forward to the game. Afghanistan is a very strong team and then (we) are just taking one game at a time," he concluded.
