ICC World Cup 2019 | Pleased to have come across the line in a game of small margins, states Kane Williamson

Having not reached a World Cup final in their long history until eight years ago, New Zealand’s win against India means they have reached their second successive final in the mega event and will be looking to end this campaign on a more positive note than the previous one. The victory was a close fought battle against title favourites India, not unlike their famous win at the same stage and in the same tournament four years ago against South Africa. However, the skipper believes that it is a bit different this time around.

“It's a different feeling, to be fair. The surfaces and the way we had to skin it, has been different to the last World Cup we experienced. Have a really good bunch of guys. A tough game, tough semifinal and really pleased to be on the right side of things,” Kane Williamson was reported saying by Cricbuzz.

When the Black Caps came out to bat yesterday, the pitch looked to be decent and a score of 250-plus looked gettable. However, the skies kept getting overcast and with the downpour, soon the conditions were bowling-friendly, meaning a score lower than previously thought could now be considered a par score. Hence, when India were set a target of 240, the match looked to be in balance.

“It was really tough. We had to assess conditions quickly and I think both sides felt that it wasn't a high-scoring track. We thought that 240-250 will help us to put India under pressure. The guys were able to do that in the middle and at the back end without going too hard. Lot of it was on the conditions, with the rain around yesterday and whether it changed the conditions,” Williamson quoted.

The onus was on the bowlers to restrict India’s on song top order, and the first three batsmen were sent packing for identical scores of one as the collapse only got worse. From 5/3, India went to 92/6 before a brilliant partnership between Jadeja and Dhoni almost saved the sinking ship only for the Kiwis to end up prevailing.

“With the new ball, our bowlers try to move the ball off the seam or in the air. Need to put pressure on that world class batting line-up of India. We knew that when the track slowed down, we had to squeeze. They showed why they are a world class side when they took it really deep to a position where they could have won it through MS and Jadeja. Our character was tested and we came out on top,” added Williamson.

The islanders had started the mega event on a fantastic note with continuous wins on the trot before a losing streak almost eliminated them in the group stage itself. However, they have yet again stepped up when it mattered and proved equal to the task.

“We've seen conditions be really tricky at times and in some games, we didn't play our best cricket but guys weren't disheartened and backed ourselves. On a particular day, anything can happen and it was a game of small margins. Pleased to come across the line. Indian supporters have been really good,” concluded Williamson.