ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2022

October 28, 2022

Tim Southee

Sydney Cricket Ground

New Zealand

Pre Match Media Conference

Q. Tim, I know this is a very kind of short-shot tournament once it gets going, but any feeling that the washout might have taken the wind out of your sails after such a convincing performance here against Australia just a few days ago?

TIM SOUTHEE: No, I don't think so. I think obviously the nature of weather, you can't control it. Yeah, it would have been nice to have another game. Feels like it's been a while since we played the opening game. But no, the guys are excited, refreshed, and looking forward to a big day's training and getting into it again tomorrow.

Q. Can I ask a slightly wider one about your pairing with Trent. You're clearly sort of an iconic duo in New Zealand and world cricket. We know the decision Trent has made about his contract going forward, and that might impact his selection going forward. When you and him get to a world event like this, do you ever think, how many more times am I going to get to do this with Trent, and I want to make sure I savor moments like the other night against Australia and what's coming up because you maybe don't know how long this pairing will last now?

TIM SOUTHEE: Yeah, I guess the future is unknown. We've played a lot of cricket together from under-19 World Cups to domestic cricket to domestic Asia cricket, and then for the last 10 or so years, all three formats for New Zealand. Yeah, it's been pretty special. I guess all good things come to an end at some stage. Yeah, hopefully it's not the end and not the last world event that we're a part of together.

Yeah, unsure what that may look like going forward, but yeah, we do certainly cherish every game we get to play together, and hopefully there's still a few more, obviously this tournament and going beyond.

Q. You went top of the leading wicket takers in T20 eyes the other day against Australia. I imagine over the length of your career there's been lots of things you've developed over the years, but can you T20 bowler over the years and how you see yourself now compared to where you were maybe seven, eight years ago?

TIM SOUTHEE: Yeah, I think I guess if you're going to last a long time in the game, you have to change with the times, and I think the game is ever changing. Batters are discovering new shots, hitting different areas, and bowlers are trying to stay ahead, as well. I think, yeah, just trying to learn new skills.

I guess the experience you have of playing for such a long period of time, you learn in your depth the different conditions, having played in various parts around the world. I think just continuing to try to get better, trying to learn -- continue trying to learn different ways that you can do things.

But I think just the experience that you have and have banked over the years, as well, helps.

But yeah, certainly having to change with the game because it does move at such a quick rate, and if you don't move with it, then I guess you get left behind.

Q. Sri Lanka is packed with some good spinners, Hasaranga, Theekshana, Dhananjaya. Any specific plan for those spinners?

TIM SOUTHEE: Yeah, we know Sri Lanka is a dangerous side. They always pose a big threat, and spin has been a massive part of their game and a strength of theirs.

Yeah, unsure how this wicket will play. Our guys have faced plenty of spin and plenty of good spinners over the years, as well, so yeah, should be a good game.

Q. What's been the preparation for tomorrow's game?

TIM SOUTHEE: Yeah, it's been a while. Obviously the washout in Melbourne, then had hopefully a good training today, and yeah, the guys are excited. Feels like it's been a while since we've played, but we've had a couple of good trainings in between. Yeah, guys are just looking forward to getting back out on the park.

Q. Is there an advantage to coming back to a ground where you've already had a game?

TIM SOUTHEE: Yeah, I guess so. Guys come back and have, I guess, fond memories of the last game here, but we know it's a good challenge, different opposition, different wicket. Yeah, it's always nice when you come back to a ground where you've had fond memories, but we know it's a completely different challenge in playing Sri Lanka as it is to playing Australia.

Q. You've obviously been watching the rest of the tournament. What have you made of some of the results and some of the perceived upsets?

TIM SOUTHEE: Yeah, there's been plenty happen over the last couple of weeks in the early stages of the tournament and then obviously we saw last night with Zimbabwe getting up, as well. Yeah, it's great for the tournament. It shows you the nature of this format is that anyone can beat anyone. Yeah, it's just setting up for an exciting couple of weeks.

Q. Just a quick comment on Daryl Mitchell who we understand is fit and available?

TIM SOUTHEE: Yep, I think Daryl has come through all the tests he needs to come through from obviously suffering a broken hand a few weeks back. Yeah, I think he comes back in for the side tomorrow.

Q. Just about those results that I suppose haven't gone as many have scripted, you've obviously still got this game against Sri Lanka, who haven't been going that well recently, and Ireland as well. Just the results that have gone so far in the tournament, these two games, I suppose, does it make you even more focus on them and even more determined to not slip up like some of the other teams?

TIM SOUTHEE: Yeah, I guess that's the beauty of sport is that -- and we've seen in the nature of this tournament, anyone can beat anyone. Ireland beating England, I guess, who were probably the tournament favourites leading into this tournament, just shows you how especially in T20 cricket that on their day, everyone poses different threats.

We know that we have to be on our toes in every single game we play. The nature of this tournament, you can't really afford to have too many slip-ups. Yeah, the T20 cricket, I think it brings the sides closer together, and we've seen throughout this tournament a number of upsets already.

Yeah, I think every game is vitally important.

Q. Just to follow up on Daryl Mitchell being fit, I know you're not a selector, but does it leave a tricky decision given how well you played in that first game, and I guess someone like Glenn Phillips, who might be the either-or selection, showed what value he can add in the field; he's almost worth selecting for his fielding alone?

TIM SOUTHEE: Yeah, I don't think -- I think it's probably Mark Chapman the one that's, I guess, the unlucky one who came in for Daryl in the Tri-Series against Bangladesh and Pakistan. Yeah, Glenn has been phenomenal for us over the last while, as well, both in the field and adding, I guess, valuable runs at a reasonable rate when he bats.

Yeah, it's unlucky, I guess, for Mark Chapman, who hasn't really done anything wrong, but I think the way that Daryl -- he's a valuable member of the side and he's done well for us, so yeah, now that he's fit and ready, he just comes back in. He'll slot back in there.