“There will be a lot of excitement in the prospect of that challenge,” he said. “It doesn’t get any bigger than taking on India in front of one-and-a-half billion people.”
Presumably not every citizen of the world’s most populous nation will watch the match — some may be under anaesthesia at the time. But there is no exaggerating the size of the task now awaiting the Black Caps, who must spoil the party for a country of cricket tragics.
India earned their invitation to Wankhede Stadium through relentless excellence: Eight convincing victories, including triumphs of 243 runs (South Africa) and six wickets (Australia) over their two closest competitors.
The Black Caps, conversely, will be entering the venue via the back door, boosting their net run rate high enough against lowly opposition to withstand defeats by fellow semifinalists.
It could be a mismatch, even accounting for the fact only 11 of those billion people will be permitted to take the field on Wednesday night. But Boult and the Black Caps passed a similar test in the 2019 semifinals, when the seamer took 2-42 in an 18-run win over the top qualifiers.
Trent Boult in action during the 2019 semifinal. Photo / Photosport
Boult knows his side have two factors in their favour: The opportunities presented by India’s attacking style at this tournament, and the weight of expectation generated by one-sixth of the world demanding success.
“They’re playing a positive style of cricket,” he said. “Playing shots does present chances, but we’re going to have to be very clear with how we tackle that game.
“To play a World Cup in India and come up against the host nation, a team that’s red hot and playing good cricket at a great ground, you couldn’t script it any better.
“They’re very good players but pressure does things to the best of players at any time, so I’m just looking forward to taking that on.”
Boult’s mood would have been further buoyed by his best figures of the tournament, scything through Sri Lanka’s top order to return 3-37. His performance laid the platform for a five-wicket win, saw Boult become the first New Zealander to collect 50 World Cup wickets, and guided the bowling attack to a resurgent effort following a few blunt outings.
Having conceded 388 against Australia, 357 against South Africa and 200 in 25 overs against Pakistan, all five frontline bowlers threatened as Sri Lanka were rolled for 171, the benefits clear of “a lot of meetings and discussions” among the group.
Boult has battled for swing all over India, and his team have struggled for early wickets, but the 34-year-old has some experience assessing and adapting to differing conditions.
“I like to see the ball swinging around and moving in the air, and it hasn’t really done that much,” he said. “It almost took me back to my younger days when you’re playing ODI cricket for the first time — the first question you ask yourself is, ‘Do I keep trying to swing the ball or go to plan B?’ I might have been a bit quicker on that with a couple of wickets in the powerplay [against Sri Lanka].”
The Black Caps will need a repeat to rein in Rohit Sharma’s side, a place in the final on the line. But this group is well accustomed to knockout stakes, preparing for their fifth straight semifinal at the ODI World Cup to go with three more in the T20 tournament.
“Our brand of ODI cricket has put us in good stead,” Boult said. “When it comes down to must-win games, we’ve got a lot of experience in this squad.
“We used that nicely over the last few games. Yes, we have lost a few in a row against top-of-the-table opposition, but it’s very pleasing to put in the performance we did in a must-win game.”
