For us, it's focusing on the style of cricket we want to keep committing to: Kane Williamson

In the lead-up to the highly anticipated Cricket World Cup 2023, New Zealand's Skipper, Kane Williamson, has made it abundantly clear that the Kiwis are resolute in adhering to their unique brand of cricket. Speaking during the recent Captains' Day event in Ahmedabad on October 4, Williamson reflected on their previous World Cup heartbreaks, emphasizing the need to maintain their distinctive style of play.

New Zealand, who reached the finals in both 2015 and 2019, faced agonizing defeats to Australia and England, with the latter contest leaving its own mark in the minds of cricket fans due to the controversial boundary count rule. However, the right-handed batter's resolve lies in staying true to their cricketing identity as they embark on yet another quest for World Cup glory.

"As you mentioned, you come to another event, and everybody certainly starts from the same position and starts again, and you go from tournament to tournament, teams change, opposition conditions. For us, it's focusing on the style of cricket that we want to keep committing to, and that gives us the best chance of putting on our best performance,” said Williamson.

Also read: England vs New Zealand England vs New Zealand Live Updates, 1st Match, ODI World Cup 2023

Williamson on challenges tournaments like the World Cup pose

Despite the enthusiasm and commitment to their style, the Kiwi skipper, unfortunately, won't be leading his side in their opening fixture at the Narendra Modi Stadium. A lingering knee injury, sustained earlier this year while representing the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has rendered him unfit for the initial clash. Yet, the 33-year-old remains acutely aware of the formidable challenges awaiting his team in this marquee event, which is set to kick off on Thursday, October 5.

“It's been nice to have some enjoyable times and certainly full of different challenges over a number of tournaments that we have been involved in, but we're really excited about the challenges that lie ahead for this one. And the difference is that it will bring, compared to other tournaments, a great occasion here in India,” he acknowledged, exuding optimism for the cricketing spectacle that lies ahead.