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‘Spinners are playing a big part in World Cup'

Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI: New Zealand left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock took part in the ICC initiative, ‘Street20 Cricket' at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.

Cricket for Change, a UK-based charity organisation, is associated with the event.

It aims at teaching cricket-mentoring skills, apart from lessons on social issues like education, health and safety.

One of three specialist spinners in the Black Caps squad (after Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum), he is happy at the prominence enjoyed by spinners this time. New Zealand is already assured of a quarterfinal place, so Woodcock, known back home for his explosive batting besides attacking spin, is ready for a crack at the batsmen.

According to an ICC media release, Street20 is a form of cricket easy for non-cricket experts to teach and does not need specialist cricket facilities.

Six-a-side games

Games are played six-a-side, 30 minutes each and can be played on a variety of surfaces. Youngsters from rural and urban Maharashtra will be trained as part of a partnership involving ICC, BCCI, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and UNICEF, in a week-long project.

Woodcock spoke on the sidelines of a game with the youngsters assembled for the event. “We don't get a chance like this everyday. It is something ICC has organised throughout the World Cup,” he said.

Excerpts:

On using the Canada outcome for future preparation:

We have played well in the last two to three games in the build-up to the meeting against Sri Lanka. The guys are really confident and the all-round performance has been pretty good.

On Sri Lanka playing at the Wankhede, away from home:

We don't mind too much really. The draw came out a while ago. It was nice to get familiar with the conditions.

On Daniel Vettori's recovery:

He has some fitness stuff going through over the last few days. He has some more days to go into the game and is moving pretty well for our liking.

On their approach towards the quarterfinals:

We are just worried about the games we have to get through in our group first and finishing in a good position. We are being quiet on it at the moment. It will get interesting from there.

On his own contribution:

I am chipping away the best I can. I am working pretty hard, and think I was pretty close to getting in, until it was decided to play an extra seamer.

On watching others spinners making an impact in World Cup:

Obviously it would be nice to get out there. Spinners are playing a big part in the tournament. I can give myself the best chance I can to get myself selected into the team.

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