Mount Maunganui, November 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
New Zealand batter Will Young has said he is not preoccupied with securing a place in the squad for the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup, insisting that contributing to the team’s success remains his priority as competition for places intensifies.
Young made a strong statement with the bat in the fourth ODI against India, scoring 125 in New Zealand’s emphatic 244-run victory. With the World Cup less than a year away, his performance has strengthened his credentials, although he said individual selection ambitions should not overshadow collective goals.
Several players are competing for places in New Zealand’s ODI setup, with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra currently preparing for the Test series beginning November 19. Tim Seifert, who scored 58 in the fourth ODI, and Finn Allen, being tried in the middle order, have also added to the batting options.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s series decider, Young acknowledged that the upcoming World Cup would naturally remain a consideration for players, but said the team’s approach was built around collective contribution.
“The best thing about this team is it’s all about contributing to the team’s success rather than worrying about your own game and looking over your shoulder as to who else is doing well,” he told reporters.
Young added that several important series remained before the tournament and players would have opportunities to make their case. However, he stressed that being a good team player and contributing in different ways were the best ways to strengthen one’s prospects.
He also welcomed the return of Seifert and Allen to the ODI setup, praising the energy and confidence they had brought to the group. According to Young, both players demonstrated their power-hitting ability while also showing that they could adapt to match situations and build meaningful partnerships.
Reflecting on his own batting approach, Young said his use of sweep shots against India’s spinners was the result of experience gained while playing in India and other parts of the subcontinent.
Growing up in New Zealand, where pitches generally offer more bounce than turn, he said the sweep had not been a regular part of his game. Exposure to different conditions through domestic cricket, New Zealand A assignments and international matches helped him expand his range of shots.
Young said there was no single coach or mentor responsible for developing the stroke, crediting years of experimentation and learning from different people.
He also explained how he adjusted his approach against India’s Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav in the fourth ODI. Axar’s length and the surface initially made timing difficult, while Young felt he needed to avoid allowing Kuldeep to build confidence.
He eventually used the wind and brought out his sweep shots to counter the spinners, an approach that paid off in New Zealand’s commanding win.
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