Some of the key players will miss New Zealand’s one-day internationals (ODIs) against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and Tom Latham said this is a perfect time for other player to stake a claim for the top role.
Kane Williamson’s Absence Paves Way for New Leaders to Emerge
Williamson, who has been ever-present for the Black Caps across all versions, has been rested by the national selectors for the series to freshen up before the fan ICC Champions Trophy in England later this year. The lack of an experienced captain on the field will allow the other players perform as the captain and show that they deserve to be the captain of the team.
Latham, who has before led the team in ODIs, is conscious with the prospect that is a play. “It has been said that this a good opportunity for other competitors to stand up and seize the opportunity,” he said. ‘We have a strong aspirational team now, a bunch of good guys and I believe all those guys are good in leading this team.’
“I think we’ve seen over many years now at times we haven’t had those senior guys whether (because) they’re playing in the IPL (Indian Premier League) or having a rest. 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,” Tom Latham said after New Zealand announced the schedule for their home summer on Wednesday, July 17.
Latham Acknowledges Competition for Captaincy, Focuses on Contribution
The 28 year old wicketkeeper-batsman has been useful for the Kiwi cricket team in the limited overs format of the game mainly due to his composed nature in the cricket field. He has also achieved great campaigns with Australia as a skipper, for instance, they won a series against England in 2019.
However, Latham of course understands that he is not first in line for the succession to captain, at least not as yet. ‘Of course there must be other guys who are more experienced and who possess more qualification to take on that particular job, ‘replied he. However, I am willing to contribute to the particular team and whosoever is the captain.”
Time for Players to Stake Their Claim for Champions Trophy Selection
Possibly the observers also get a chance to see other players trying to force entry into the team by having Williamson sit out. With several players in contention for the spot, Latham said it would be an interesting time for New Zealand cricket. ‘‘It is always healthy to have competitors for a place, ’’ he added. “It motivates every person to work even more and become a better player.All in all, I believe we are going to have an interesting few weeks.”
The next series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in New Zealand will be vital for the configuration of the team before the Champions Trophy. It will be a crucial period for several players, which are up for selection, so that they have to perform and seal their place in the team.
Confident in Team’s Abilities, Tom Latham Looks to Bounce Back
For Latham, it will be another chance to keep on building his carrier as a batsman and more so lay a strong foundation to force his way in to the senior team permanently. ‘I concern myself with only my part and how I can play as best as I can’he said. If that leads to more opportunities then that’s great, but I don’t mind for that I just aim to do the best for the team.
Williamson has decided to have a break and Latham is confident about the other players. ‘I think, we still have a good team of players who are capable of coming up with good performance,’ he added. All we need to do is to go out and perform the plans we have in mind and hopefully the rains will stay away and allow good cricket to be played.
The Kiwi cricketer was having his say as New Zealand looks forward to their cricketing summer and Latham is surely optimistic for the future. With Williamson deciding to take a sabbatical it offers the others a chance to perform and bring their A-game to the field. Indeed, with close to half a dozen players in the selection frame, it will be a testing time for New Zealand cricket.