NZ unfazed by underdogs tag, focused on the job at hand - Latham

New Zealand has been one of the most consistent sides in the 50-over World Cup, having reached the final in the last two editions and the semi-finals eight times otherwise.

However, more often than not, they are tagged as underdogs, perpetually underrated. Not many seem to give them a chance to secure a spot in the semifinals, leave alone in the final, but the team remains focused on the task at hand, unfazed by what the world thinks of them.

"We're not necessarily focused on what people are predicting," says Tom Latham, the stand-in New Zealand skipper on the eve of their World Cup opener against England.

India, England, and Australia have been the majority choices as semifinalists, with some suggesting Pakistan or South Africa as potential fourth team making it to the knock-out stage. "From our point of view, we're solely focused on what we have to do. The brand of cricket that we want to play is our main focus, and when it comes towards the end of the tournament, if we're in those positions, then that's great," reckons the wicketkeeper-batsman.

The general perception is that this England side, under Jos Buttler, is much better than they were under Eoin Morgan in 2019. The New Zealanders are coming off a one-day series against England, and for the record, they lost to the defending champions 1-3. Notably, however,