DUBAI: New Zealand enters their Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa in Lahore Wednesday bent by beating Proteas in the same place in a tri series last month.
The black caps lost to India in their last group A match on Sunday in Dubai, but Tom Latham said it would have no bearing on the meeting for a place in the final.
More relevant is that New Zealand chased 305 against South Africa in Lahore after Kane Williamson scored 133 and also beat hosts Pakistan in the Tri series.
“We are lucky that we had a tri-series in Pakistan and against South Africa,” said Wicketkeeper Latham.
“We have a chance to look back on these experiences and give our best in a semi -final, which is pretty cool,” he added.
New Zealand was already in the last four of Champions Trophy before Sunday’s loss to India in Dubai.
They also already knew they had to go back to Pakistan for their semi -final.
“It’s something that is out of our control,” Latham said of the journey, where India played all their games in Dubai after refusing to host Pakistan.
“We don’t decide the schedule, and for us it’s all about showing up on every game wherever it is and trying to play our best brand of cricket as best we can.
“Obviously, it’s a chance to make an ICC final,” Latham said.
“We know there is a lot of hard work to do to get to that point.”
South Africa topped Group B in front of Australia with two impressive winnings and a washed -out match.
“We know how strong South Africa is,” Latham said.
“They all have bases covered with batting, bowling and in the field. When you look at it, I’m sure it will be a great game.”
New Zealand’s Fielding has been unique on the way to the semi-finals-Glenn Phillips took a spectacular one-handed flight catch to reject Virat Kohli on Sunday.
“I think we’ve seen throughout the tournament some of the catches the guys have taken,” Latham said. “For us it’s an attitude thing.”
India faces Australia in the first semi -final of Dubai on Tuesday.
