ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2021

October 30, 2021

Trent Boult

Dubai International Stadium

New Zealand

Pre Match Media Conference

Q. Can you give us a sense of the feeling in the camp, the in the World Cup against India on Sunday night?

TRENT BOULT: The boys are pretty upbeat. They're excited at the chance to take on India tomorrow night. Not the best start for us against Pakistan, who obviously are playing some very good cricket at the moment. But the guys are excited and looking forward to the challenge that India brings.

Q. We're obviously seeing a lot of successful chases so far in this tournament. If you end up having to defend a total against India, what's going to be the key to sort of breaking that trend?

TRENT BOULT: Whatever we do first, I think we need to do it extremely well. India brings a lot of challenges, quality batting lineup. But with the ball, I think we just need to be clear with our options on how to shut these guys down and obviously give them the bigger chase as possible.

It's going to be a good challenge, our first game at Dubai, but the wicket looks pretty good there. But looking forward to taking them on.

Q. There's been a lot of talk about you and Rohit Sharma, IPL, and then of course the left-arm swing coming in to him. Now that there's been so much talk about that and also KL Rahul doing so well. What is the plan B for Trent Boult if not batting swing arm?

TRENT BOULT: I suppose it depends when I get the ball. I'm not too sure what the plan is with what overs certain bowlers are bowling. But I thought the way Shaheen bowled the other night from a left-armer, watching on I thought it was amazing. But there's quality batsmen in that India lineup.

Early wickets are definitely the focus for us as a bowling group. But we just need to be nice and clear and nice and accurate on where we're trying to put the ball. But hopefully, from my point of view, it swings around a little bit and I can mirror what Shaheen did the other night.

Q. Pakistan came in with a fair amount of pace to spin one of their strengths. How differently is it preparing for India's bowling attack and what do you make of that?

TRENT BOULT: Much of the same, in a way. Their bowlers bring a lot of pressure, a lot of accuracy. The batting unit definitely hungry to put on a decent score, and really put some pressure on the opposition.

But the way Pakistan have gone about their business in this tournament so far, obviously playing some great cricket. They've really set the tone. So we haven't played too much cricket in the tournament as yet, but the boys are just very excited to get out there and get our campaign off to a good start.

Q. On a lighter note, how has New Zealand managed, how to stay, arguably, the second most favourite team for every Indian after giving India so much hurt, 2019 World Cup, semifinals, followed by that World Test Championship final. But still New Zealand remains probably the second most favourite team almost for every Indian. Is it the dignity, is it your team culture, the dignity with which you play your cricket?

TRENT BOULT: I think firstly, when it comes to these world events, playing India is always an exciting match. The fans and the audience that comes with it is very exciting. And of course as players we want to take on the best players and really showcase our skills, et cetera.

So we've had some good memories. We're really excited about tomorrow night in terms of the style of cricket that we play.

And I suppose we try to go out there, play in the right spirits, play with a smile on our face. And look to enjoy the game is probably the byproduct of the fans we get around the world.

But we're very excited about the stage we'll be on tomorrow night. And hopefully we can upset and get our campaign off into the winning form and carry on through this tournament. But hopefully it's a good one.

Q. Is there any latest update on Gup after he took the blow the last game?

TRENT BOULT: Gup is pretty good. He trained fully yesterday, didn't see too many issues with him. He's definitely a big piece of the puzzle for us at the top of the innings. So from what I know he's good to go.

Q. Everyone is talking about this game as a virtual knockout. How are you guys thinking about this one against India?

TRENT BOULT: Every game is a good game. We've had a few lay days in between games already. But we're excited to get out there. Definitely want to get a check in the win column for us.

All games are a big win. But here's hoping we can really go out there and put together the things that we've been trying to and get out to a real good start.

Q. How do you think -- like New Zealand and India have played each other quite a lot recently, the World Test Championship and IPL as well. How do you think that stacks up ahead of this picture?

TRENT BOULT: Like I touched on before, there's always a lot of excitement that comes with playing India. And we've probably enjoyed some success over them over the last few years, I suppose, on these ICC tournaments.

But it definitely doesn't mean we'll treat them lightly or anything like that. It's a big game for both teams. And I'm sure we're both looking forward to putting on a good show.

Q. How do you see the prospects of your team in the next match? I mean, do you believe that New Zealand has an extra edge when it comes to T20 when it comes to against India, or do you have to believe that IPL has given, particularly in the UAE, India an extra edge?

TRENT BOULT: I wouldn't say we have an extra edge. I think both sides are stacked with quality players. In terms of our team, we're definitely excited about the opportunity that lies ahead for us. A few guys have been here playing IPL and UAE and obviously have relationships and have played a lot of these Indian guys a lot.

So here's hoping we can put it all together tomorrow afternoon and get our ball rolling.

Q. You've played a fair bit on these grounds during the IPL and for New Zealand as well. In terms of what they offer to fast bowlers, how do you contrast Abu Dhabi?

TRENT BOULT: I would say these conditions here are a big challenge, to be honest. They can change drastically across the many weeks that we've been here.

But in terms of our side, and I suppose the tools we have in our shed is a lot of experience. Guys that can perform on certain wickets, and we feel confident that we have the skills to beat India tomorrow night. But it's definitely a big challenge, definitely unusual, well, foreign conditions to what we're used to back home.

But that's the joy of international cricket and World Cup cricket, it's about testing yourself on numerous conditions. Here's hoping we go on tomorrow night.

Q. In the UAE we have seen the trend that people who are chasing while bowling second, they're having a dew -- they're affected by dew as well. Are there any specific preparations by your team and you on how to combat dew if you get to bowl second?

TRENT BOULT: That's a good question. I suppose it's a hard one to understand how much dew is going to come in. But from the one game we've experienced so far there hasn't been too much of it, the overheat conditions. It cooled down a lot nicely.

So you've just got to, I suppose, take your time and make sure you've got a good grip on the ball and just be as accurate as you can. But it's going to be an exciting game and hopefully some good cricket is played and it's a nice, entertaining match for everyone watching.

Q. Being in the bio bubble, a lot of time is spent on the team floor. Can you give us an idea of the sort of activities and in particular the table tennis where you seem to be spending quite a bit of time?

TRENT BOULT: As you can imagine, there's not a lot to do. But the boys are in good spirits. A couple of good table tennis competitions. The guitar has been out a bit and a bit of singing. I don't have it here for you today, unfortunately.

But the boys are just ticking along. We've played a few lay days in between games. And I think the second half of our tournament is going to happen quite quickly. We're looking forward to get involved and we can't wait for tomorrow night.

Q. Who has been rolling the table tennis court, in your opinion?

TRENT BOULT: Can I say Gary Stead, the head coach? I don't want to say too eager. But he's a good player, closely followed by Cole Jameson, good player.