After Blackcaps announced the New Zealand squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, the side’s assistant coach Craig McMillan said he is excited about the upcoming ICC tournament.
The Blackcaps have announced the T20 World Cup squad who will be traveling to UAE for the 20 overs showcase at the end of this month.
On this occasion, McMillan has revealed his excitement about the upcoming tournament saying, “I think the expectations will stay within the group, but what I would say is that we’re excited about the World Cup and the matches that we have in our group.”
“We know that we probably won’t be one of the teams that are favored by many, but we’re confident in the players and the group we have and we’re really looking forward to the tournament,” he added.
New Zealand great and current assistant coach Craig McMillan is looking forward to seeing what his team can achieve at next month’s #T20WorldCup 💪
Details 👇https://t.co/8oAJjXUQdK
— ICC (@ICC) September 11, 2024
McMillan joined New Zealand’s coaching group earlier this year and the Kiwi great will be beginning his new role when the Kiwis suffered a series sweep against England in both the ODI and T20Is in July.
Sophie Devine will be leading the side for the tournament which will be her last assignment as captain. Along with Bates, Devine’s performance in New Zealand’s top order will be pivotal to Kiwi’s prospects with the pair having featured in every edition of the tournament since 2009.
The duo have twice finished as runner-up at the event with New Zealand (2009, 2010) and reached the semi-finals in the 2012 and 2016 seasons. McMillan would love nothing more than to see them lift the trophy at the ninth edition of the tournament.
“When they (Devine and Bates) finish (retire), they will go down as two of the very best that have played for the White Ferns and I couldn’t think of a better way for two legends of the game in New Zealand to perhaps go out, maybe holding a trophy,” Craig McMillan pondered.
“I like the balance we have with the youngsters learning off the experienced players that we have, but what we need is everyone doing their job to the best of their ability and if that happens, you just never know what might happen come World Cup time.”
McMillan said the team gained lots of lessons from series losses and thinks they can mix it with any opposition should they play at their best.
“I think we learnt that there’s work to be done to compete consistently with the top sides in the world and we obviously recently played England, who are certainly one of those sides that are in the top three (favourites),” Craig McMillan said.
“But also I think what we learned was there’s plenty of talent and skill in this White Ferns side and how good this New Zealand side is I think will show very soon and I’m really excited by that.”
Coming to the tournament, the first match will be played between Bangladesh and Scotland women on October 03 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
New Zealand women will be playing their first match against India women on October 04 at Dubai International Stadium.
