New Delhi, March 5 (NationPress) Cole McConchie, recently added to New Zealand's cricket squad, experienced an unforgettable night in Kolkata as the Kiwis triumphed over South Africa, securing their position as the first finalists in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. McConchie described the past weeks since his unexpected call-up as a whirlwind, expressing his excitement, saying he was ‘super stoked’ about the opportunity.

In the match, McConchie, alongside teammate Rachin Ravindra, made significant contributions by dismantling South Africa's top order, limiting their scoring chances and placing New Zealand in a strong position. He stepped in for Michael Bracewell, who was sidelined due to injury, and his performance was crucial to their semi-final success. The Black Caps are now set to compete in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad this Sunday.

Reflecting on the rapid transition following his call-up, McConchie shared with New Zealand Cricket, “It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks. I was gearing up for a four-trophy match in Invercargill. The night before the game, I was studying in my room when I received a message from Black Caps selector Gavin Larson asking me to call him. Upon doing so, I learned that Michael Bracewell was unfortunately out.”

Expressing his delight about joining the squad and traveling to India, he added, “Receiving that call was super stoked, and the opportunity excites me. Everything unfolded swiftly, from Invercargill to Christchurch, sorting out visas, flights, and then heading to India. The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind, but it’s a truly special moment to be here and I’m eager about the World Cup final and all that it entails.”

McConchie discussed the challenge of bowling in the powerplay despite limited preparation. “It was a bit unfamiliar to prepare for bowling early, especially against a couple of left-handers. I only found out I was playing just before the warm-up, so there was no time for nerves,” he remarked.

“But I was ready, and the coaches indicated that if I played, I might have some good overs at the start. Thankfully, it went according to plan, and we got off to a strong start. It was a fantastic team effort,” he continued.

When discussing the pitch conditions, McConchie noted, “I aimed to deliver my best ball on that surface, looking for some spin and bounce. I was quite hyped up, especially after taking those two wickets, as they had been performing well throughout the tournament.”

Looking back at New Zealand's performance against a formidable South African batting lineup, he stated, “It was clearly a great wicket for batting. We began well in the powerplay and managed to restrict them significantly until about the 13th or 14th overs. Oddly, it was somewhat positive that they hit a few runs towards the end.”

“This highlighted the quality of the batting wicket. The way Tim and Finn performed afterward was a sight to behold; they put on an incredible display,” he noted.

On the emotions surrounding a World Cup semi-final, he expressed, “It was incredibly special. Of course, there were a few nerves at the start, but once we got through the powerplay, I felt those nerves fade away.”

“Watching those two strike the ball was remarkable, and Finn received quite a bit of credit at the end for his exceptional hitting,” he added.

McConchie also commended his teammate Finn Allen, who achieved the fastest T20 World Cup century, stating, “He’s been consistent for a long time, and doing this on such a grand stage is truly special. Everyone is really proud of him. We enjoyed celebrating our win together last night, but today is a travel day.”

Looking forward to the final, he maintained a focused yet grounded attitude. “As we approach the final on Sunday, I anticipate things will intensify. But, true to Kiwi style, we’ll take it in stride and relish this moment. It’s a unique opportunity to be heading into a World Cup final, and I’m looking forward to the exciting days ahead,” he concluded.