Kolkata, March 3 (NationPress) After making the journey from Sri Lanka to Kolkata for their first semifinal match against South Africa at Eden Gardens, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner expressed that an additional day of rest would have been more beneficial for his squad. Nevertheless, he noted that the team had a productive practice session at the Eden and is prepared for the upcoming semifinal showdown.

New Zealand departed from Sri Lanka on Monday, a day after the semifinal lineup was confirmed following India's victory over the West Indies. They arrived in Kolkata on Tuesday and will face South Africa on Wednesday night, adapting to conditions that differ from those in Sri Lanka.

"Yes, the conditions are likely to vary somewhat from what we encountered in Colombo, but at this stage of the tournament, everyone has played ample cricket. Even a few rest days can prove to be advantageous. The guys had a solid practice today. We also observed the game the other night, which offered valuable insights into what the pitch might be like. I believe everyone is geared up for tomorrow," Santner mentioned during the pre-match press conference.

The New Zealand leader acknowledged the advantages of the experience his teammates have gained from playing in India during the IPL and bilateral series, which will aid them as they prepare for the semifinal encounter with South Africa.

"The more exposure you have to the conditions you're competing in, the more you learn from it, whether it’s through an international tour or the IPL. This applies to most teams, including South Africa, whose players have also played extensively in these environments," he stated.

However, he emphasized that beyond familiarity with the conditions, it was crucial for his team to manage the match effectively.

"Everyone seems to have a decent understanding of what to expect. It’s all about day-to-day conditions, which can change rapidly. The opposition can also vary. Teams that can adapt quickly put themselves in a favorable position. Our squad has reached this stage several times, but making it to the semifinals indicates that we’re competing against other teams performing well, including South Africa, who are undoubtedly a strong side," he added.

The semifinal is scheduled to coincide with Holi, the festival of colors in India, and Santner expressed hope that his team could contribute to the festivities with an impressive performance.

"Our uniform might not be the most vibrant, being mostly black, so I might need to add a bit of flair. I've experienced festivals in India before; they’re always wonderful to witness. Hopefully, we can provide a memorable show tomorrow night," he remarked.

Santner noted that while the pitches have not offered as much spin as anticipated, he believes that spinners will still play a vital role on the Eden Gardens surface.

"From what we observed the other night, the pitch appeared quite flat, but I still believe there is a role for spinners, as well as seamers. The dimensions of the ground significantly influence conditions. In Sri Lanka, we had larger boundaries in both matches, whereas here, the dimensions are more central. Adapting on the fly is crucial; it involves managing overs effectively and striving to restrict a formidable team to a reasonable total," he concluded.