Kamal Ghorui
CHENNAI: When New Zealand’s explosive opener Tim Seifert took stance to face Afghanistan’s new-ball bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, it evoked memories of former South African great Faf du Plessis, who found considerable success here.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!With the bat held high throughout his pre-delivery routine, Seifert went on to score a half-century as New Zealand clinched a five-wicket win over Afghanistan in their opener. Come Tuesday, the Kiwis will again turn to Seifert to keep the runs flowing, this time against the UAE.
New Zealand batting coach Luke Ronchi said Seifert sticks to the open stance because it helps him stay “calm and clear” at the crease. “That’s something he decided he wanted to do because it just felt natural. It’s quite a big movement and not many people have that sort of style,” said the coach.The 31-year-old Seifert, a refined 2.0 version of himself, has been thriving ever since his return to the squad in 2023. With three half-centuries in his last four outings, he is New Zealand’s steady hand at the top. Known as a ‘360-degree’ batter, he neutralised the Afghan spin threat with decisive footwork and clean technique.Ronchi said Seifert’s aggressive batting is a key part of the team’s plan. “Playing the Afghan spinners the way he did, was awesome,” Luke said. Much of Seifert’s growth has been forged on the franchise circuit. For nearly two years between 2021 and 2023, he did not feature for New Zealand, owing to inconsistent performances. But he continued to play across leagues around the world and gained exposure to different conditions and in elite company.
