Cricket World Cup 2019: Liam Plunkett eager to help England right wrong against New Zealand
An eight-wicket defeat in Wellington back in 2015 represents one of the lowest points of the Eoin Morgan era but this side can prove how far they've come since then with victory on Wednesday
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Your support makes all the difference.Liam Plunkett is hoping England can right the wrong of four years ago and beat New Zealand to confirm their place in the World Cup semi-finals.
An eight-wicket defeat in Wellington back in 2015 represents one of the lowest points of the Eoin Morgan era as England capitulated both with the bat and the ball to lose inside 13 overs, only narrowly avoiding the ignominy of being beaten before the scheduled tea interval.
In contrast victory over the Kiwis at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday will seal a spot in the last four after the 31-run win over an unbeaten India on Sunday kept their hopes of progressing firmly in their own hands.
Plunkett, who returned to the team to take three key wickets in the Indian chase at Edgbaston, is excited for what could unfold over the next two weeks for this side.
“It is massive," he said. "People ask me about the added pressure here, but I think you need to learn to live with that World Cup pressure.
“It is actually nice, it is a good feeling because you're here. People think it can get you down or it is stressful, but it's not. You're here, at a World Cup, playing cricket for England so you've got to learn to love it. It is exciting.
“It is an amazing journey I've been on and to think that if you win three games of cricket then you win the World Cup. This team is capable of doing just that.
“We came into this ranked No.1 and we've had a few defeats but people are allowed to beat you.
“People are chomping at playing the best team in the world so it is good we've had our kick up the backside.
“Now we're going back to where it all started against a good team. It is exciting, they have got some good lads in that team and they're good players so we'll be ready and it's going to be a fun day.”
It could all have been very different with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli set and going well in the middle overs India look primed for a real assault at what would've been a World Cup record chase of 338.
But Plunkett came into the attack and removed the Indian skipper to set England on course for an important win.
“It is obviously a good feeling to come in and do a job for the team, but it is not a massive surprise because [Eoin Morgan] Morgs backs me when I play," he added.
“He brings me on first change and it was that kind of wicket that I felt if I bowled somewhere near my best then I could pick up wickets.
“It is tough, it is the World Cup on different pitches against different teams. You want to play every game but sometimes you don't get the nod.
“I'm at a point in my career where I don't go into my shell, I don't go away crying about it, if I play hopefully I can make a difference. I played today, found some form and hopefully I play the next game and keep myself going."
New Zealand, having faltered somewhat over the last fortnight, need two points themselves to ensure qualification making this final group stage match up a must-win on both sides.
But for Plunkett this is what World Cup cricket is all about.
“You've got to try and make it feel like it is any other game," he says. "The other teams are going through the same feelings that you are. New Zealand will be feeling it. This is their World Cup too and they've got to win games too.
“Just enjoy it. I know it can be tough and you're playing against the best players in the world but you want to try to play with a smile on your face and just back what you've been doing.
“It has worked for the past four years so why shouldn't it work again."
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