NZ Players Reflect Upon Early Wickets, Dhoni-Jadeja Partnership

Pace spearhead Trent Boult said the Dhoni-Jadeja partnership absorbed the pressure nicely.

New Zealand players in a huddle during the semifinal against India.

(Photo: AP)

Destroyer-in-chief of India's famed top-order, pacer Matt Henry, after the match, said that the flurry of wickets in the first 45 minutes of chase paved the way for New Zealand's 18-run victory in the World Cup semifinal.

Defending a modest target of 240, the duo of Henry and Trent Boult wrecked havoc with the new ball, reducing them to 3 for five and then 4 for 24.

“We wanted to get on top and put them under pressure. India have a world-class batting line-up and to break that opening partnership was huge,” Henry said after the win.

"Semi-finals are a special opportunity. We knew it would be tough for them if we took early wickets and that gave us the platform we needed," he added.

Henry's figures of three for 37 included the top-order scalps of Rohit Sharma, K L Rahul and Dinesh Karthik, earning him the Man-of-the-Match Award.

Dhoni, Jadeja Absorbed Pressure Nicely: Boult

Pace spearhead Trent Boult said Ravindra Jadeja and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's partnership had his team concerned during the semifinal clash here as the two absorbed the pressure nicely to keep India in the hunt.

"They absorbed the pressure nicely and anything can happen with Dhoni and Jadeja at the crease, so it's just nice to come out on the right side," Boult said.

The pacer, who claimed the wickets of India skipper Virat Kohli and dangerman Jadeja, said that he enjoyed being part of the ‘mayhem’ his side created with the new ball.

"It was mayhem out there with the new ball, it was a dream start for us and great fun to be a part of.

"We knew our best balls are good enough for anyone, so it was nice to get the ball moving around and really put the pressure on them," said Boult.

Better Prepared for Final This Time: Taylor

Emboldened by the stunning win over fancied India in the semifinal, New Zealand's seasoned batsman Ross Taylor says the team is better prepared this time for the title clash of the World Cup.

Four years ago, New Zealand were hammered by Australia by seven wickets in the final, overawed by the occasion.

At Lord’s on Sunday, Taylor believes the Black Caps will know what to expect and be better prepared to cope with the challenges of an ICC World Cup final.

"I'd be lying if I said we weren't a bit overawed by the change of scenery. I think we know what to expect, the pressures that come with it, we've been there before," Taylor was quoted as saying in the ICC website.