Nottingham: New Zealand’s seasoned campaigner Ross Taylor has said the absence of Shikhar Dhawn would be a huge disadvantage for India going into the World Cup match at Trent Bridge.
Speaking ahead of the clash with India, Taylor said: “Shikhar is a big loss to India. He plays very well at ICC tournaments and has a very good record over here. He and Rohit Sharma have a very good partnership, and I think they complement each other well because they're right and left-handed”.
Taylor said New Zealand have a similar balanced side.
“When you do have a right-left hand combination, it does put pressure in different ways on the opposition,” he said.
Taylor knows this ground very well, having played for the Nottinghamshire in County Cricket.
Giving his insights on the conditions, he said traditionally there are short boundaries here at the ground.
Big hitters from both sides would be looking to take advantage of this, he said.
He indicated that NZ would decide on the team looking at whether it is likely to be a full 50 overs game or a truncated one.
On the possibility of the match being washed out, Taylor said: “I said at the start of the tournament that luck is going to play a part. With the weather, England is a beautiful place, but it's not famous for good weather. There's still a long way to go in this tournament. I'm sure there's going to be rained out games that could have freaked us along the way. We found that in Taunton, and there has been times where forecasts have been wrong as well. Hopefully tomorrow is one.”
He refused to get into the growing concern over the Zing bails not dislodging from the grooves of the stumps after being hit hard on five occasions so far in the WC.
“They're here to stay, and I think they add a good dimension, a different dimension to cricket. A few batsmen have had a bit of luck in recent times. It is what it is. Just get on with it. I'm sure the bowlers are a little bit disappointed, but I'm sure the batters are very happy at the same time.”
On the Trent Bridge wicket, which has been under covers this entire week and soaked in a lot of moisture due to the heavy rain over the last few days, Taylor said: “It's a great place to play cricket. Traditionally, it can favour the batters at times, but I'm sure that bowlers will be going to have a little bit (assistance) there. It's been out in the kettles for two or three days and hasn't seen the sun. We'll have to wait and see what happens.”
