The White Ferns are chasing a semi-final spot at the T20 World Cup. Photo: Photosport
The White Ferns have the T20 World Cup semi-finals in their sights and are treating their final two group games in the UAE as must wins.
New Zealand next play Sri Lanka on Saturday night with their final group match against Pakistan next Tuesday morning (NZT).
The White Ferns are fourth in Group A with one win (they upset India in their opening match) and one defeat from their first two games, though their net run rate is not great following the heavy loss to defending champions Australia in their second match.
Unbeaten Australia top the group with two wins from two games with India second with two wins and a loss and Pakistan third, level on points with New Zealand, with a win and a loss.
Sri Lanka are last with three defeats and are out of semi-final contention. The top two teams from each of the two groups will advance to the semi-finals.
Lea Tahuhu, Ben Sawyer Head Coach and Molly Penfold talk during the White Ferns Training camp, 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Coach Ben Sawyer believes the White Ferns are well placed at the half-way point of the group stage.
"Obviously a a really good game against India and even the Australian game, there were there were good moments in there," Sawyer said.
"I thought we bowled quite well, and we're able to hold them towards the back end there. I think they stood four wickets in hand at the back end, but to be able to contain a really strong team like that was positive.
"With the bat, we just needed to probably start a little bit better."
Sawyer concedes the result against Australia was far from ideal, but he said the White Ferns confidence remains high and he was bullish about their chances of reaching the final four.
"To a large extent our destiny is in our hands.
"If we win these next two matches, then we'd be really well placed to to go through. So that's a really good position to be in, not really having to rely on anybody else," Sawyer said.
"I think we match up well against both Sri Lanka and Pakistan. So, yeah, looking forward to both of those matches."
Hannah Rowe in action for the White Ferns. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Sri Lanka are first up and Sawyer believes the White Ferns will need to keep their skipper Chamari Athapaththu contained in Sharjah.
"Obviously everyone speaks about Chamari, and she's a a real strength for them. She's a a world class batter and and has done it in franchise tournaments around the world. She's a a big focus for us, but they've got other strong players," Sawyer said.
"Vishmi Gunaratne up the top has been really good for them over the past 12 months. There are dangerous players throughout their team with the ball, lots of spinners that we need to to really focus on because of the spinning conditions over here as well.
"They're a dangerous team that we won't take really lightly. And it's our first day game. So it's definitely gonna play a factor."
Sawyer said they will do their best to prepare for the Sharjah heat ahead of the match.
"We've probably tried to avoid a bit of the heat since we've been here, but then the today and and tomorrow, we've we've got some daytime training. Getting outside and and being exposed to that, but also not being out here for three hours. So trying to get in, do it short and sharp, reduce warm up on on game day, make sure that's not too extended.
"The medical staff are all over all the heat policy stuff. So I think we're in a good position for that."