New Zealand are ready to take on South Africa in their Champions Trophy semi-final on Wednesday, despite enduring some "tough travel", according to their skipper Mitchell Santner.
New Zealand had won their first two games of the ODI tournament in Pakistan but lost to India in Dubai on Sunday. They then flew back to Pakistan for the semi-final clash at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.
"It was actually more of a daytime sleep," Santner said on Tuesday, ahead of the semi-final. "I think it was a tough travel but it's nice to get it done, get here and kind of a reset and get ready for today (training) and tomorrow's game."
The Champions Trophy is being played on a hybrid model after India refused to travel to Pakistan due to political tensions, with India playing all their matches and their semi-final in Dubai. All the other teams in Group A – Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh – had to travel to Dubai to face India, who won all three matches.
India faced Australia in the other semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday.
Critics have criticised the tournament's unusual arrangement, claiming it gave India an unfair advantage.
South Africa also travelled to Dubai without knowing who they would face in the semi-finals but returned to Pakistan less than 24 hours later without playing a game.
Santner acknowledged that scheduling in international cricket is a widespread issue. "I think when you do have time to rest and recover it's very important," he said. New Zealand had already secured their place in the semi-finals before their 44-run defeat to India.
"One-day cricket can be very exhausting on the body, so for us it's making sure that the bowlers are ready," Santner added. "I think what we can change is to have rest and a good reset."
Santner confirmed that the team had recovered well after the travel and are ready for the upcoming match.
South Africa reached the semi-finals after convincing victories in the group phase over England and debutants Afghanistan. "I think like us they have all aspects covered," Santner said. "They have four good seamers and Lahore would probably not be spinning as much as Dubai. We have seen (spinner Keshav) Maharaj for a long time, they have (spinner Tabraiz) Shamsi and (all-rounder Aiden) Markram can be tidy with the ball. So I think they are a well-balanced side."
