New Zealand have learned lessons from T20 World Cup flop: Neesham

BENGALURU, Jan 5 : Poor ‌preparation derailed New Zealand's Twenty20 World Cup campaign in 2024 but the Black Caps will leave no stone unturned as they approach next month's global showpiece seeking their first title, all-rounder James Neesham said.

Determined to avoid another group-stage exit, New Zealand will head into the next edition in India and Sri Lanka with proper match practice thanks to a five-game T20 series scheduled against India from January 21-31.

"Obviously, the 2024 World Cup in West Indies, we were very under-prepared," Neesham told Reuters via video call.

"We didn't have any games going into the tournament, which wasn't ideal, coming off the back of the ‌Indian Premier League and a lot of guys being busy over there.

"We've rectified that and ‌we've got a good series against a strong team getting into the World Cup."

The 35-year-old said playing India on their own turf would help New Zealand finalise their starting 11 for the tournament, which begins on February 7.

"It'll be good to have five games to test ourselves against them and hopefully get a couple of good wins, some good results, but mainly hopefully find our combinations and get ourselves well oiled before the World Cup," Neesham added.

While Neesham remains a T20 regular for New Zealand he has not played for the national team ‍in the 50-overs format since the 2023 World Cup.

"I'm certainly still available currently for that format," he said.

"I haven't quite decided what my future looks like internationally. I'll probably have a think about that during this World Cup and probably make a decision one way or the other."

That uncertainty is compounded by New Zealand's new casual contract system, introduced last September, that allows marquee players to