Tim Southee, a retired fast bowler of the Black Caps, talks about his trust in the New Zealand cricket team ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
Likewise, he talks about how good Mitchell Santner is at leading, how Kane Williamson helps the team, and how fast bowlers Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith are getting better.
Mitchell Santner’s Leadership: Cool Under Pressure
Tim Southee talks about how calm and smart Mitchell Santner is as a captain. He thinks about Santner’s important choices during the Tri-Nation Series, showing how he can lead well with both bat and ball.
“Will O’Rourke, in the Test game, we’ve seen what he can do. He’s still so young but he’s got all the attributes that are going to set him up for a lot of success in international cricket.”
In addition, Southee also talks about how well Santner communicates and how quickly he understands the game. He also points out how Santner changed bowlers at smart times, which messed up the other team’s flow.
Likewise, Southee says that Santner’s calmness when things get tough will be very important for New Zealand to do well in the tournament.
“Mitch is one of the best fielders, an unbelievably skilful bowler and a more than useful batter so I’m sure he’ll be looking to lead in all those three areas.”
Kane Williamson: Leading with Experience
Tim Southee talks about Kane Williamson getting better, saying he plays calmly and thinks smart when things get tough. He talks about Williamson’s ability to change in different game situations and use good plans.
“Kane is in good form, it’s nice to see him with a couple of scores. He’s class.”
Even with a few ODI games, Kane has made two major contributions. Moreover, Williamson stays in control throughout.
“Mitch has done a great job as captain. It’s still reasonably new to him,but I experienced a bit of his captaincy towards the end of my career. He’s very calm, you see that in the way he plays his cricket”, said Tim.
Emerging Stars: Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith
Tim Southee also praises Will O’Rourke for taking four wickets in the Tri-Nation final, noting his fast bowling, good aim, and fighting spirit. He talks about how good O’Rourke is at dealing with stress and using the situation well.
Southee also praises Nathan Smith for believing in himself, being steady, and showing strong will. He talks about how brave Smith is when performing in front of a lot of people. Southee is really excited about how both players can make a big difference.
“Nathan Smith has a real confidence about him and believes in himself, which I think you need at this level.”
New Zealand’s Winning Formula
Tim Southee says that the Black Caps need to start strong to do well, with help from both experienced players and new talent. He thinks that starting well makes a good start for the tournament.
Southee says that having both experienced leaders and new talents is very important. They could as well replicate their Champions Trophy win of 2000.
Furthermore, he also says that learning from mistakes in the tournament can help them in the future. He says that working together and being flexible will be very important for success.
The Black Caps have a good mix of experience and young talent, and they are ready for a strong Champions Trophy run.
Moreover, he says that players like Williamson and Mitchell Santner help lead the team, while Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith bring new, young energy to the group. He is hopeful that good performances can help the Black Caps win.
