Cricketing world is Rachin Ravindra’s oyster, says Michael Atherton following dream World Cup 2023 campaign

Former England captain Michael Atherton heaped praise on New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, saying the cricketing world is his oyster. New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets in their final ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 group-stage match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday, November 9.

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Writing for The Times, Atherton opined that New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is calmly steering the ship for his side after coming back from injury. New Zealand is currently placed fourth in the World Cup 2023 points table and will face India in the semi-finals if they qualify for the knockout stages.

“New Zealand were prepared to carry Williamson, even though he was not available at the start. His form, after such a long absence, looked remarkably unaffected in his comeback game, until he broke his thumb in a freak accident. Now he is back again, calmly steering the ship,” wrote Atherton.

He went on to heap praise on Ravindra, saying the cricketing world is his oyster, adding that he will be in demand in franchise cricket. Ravindra has scored 565 runs in nine innings in the 2023 World Cup at an average of 70.62.

“The cricketing world is his oyster. New Zealand’s population resource may be comparatively thin, but they continue to unearth and produce good talent. Ravindra will be in demand, as many of the Kiwis are, but they seem to handle the franchise conundrum deftly,” Atherton added.

India, Australia and South Africa have already booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals, while New Zealand and Pakistan fight it out for the last spot in the semi-finals.

New Zealand took their tally to 10 points in nine matches, two more than Pakistan who have a game in hand against defending champions England in the 2023 World Cup.