Success for the Blackcaps at the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in the UAE won't be based on exorcising the ghosts of their 2019 heartbreak, says batter Martin Guptill.
In possibly the best game of one-day cricket ever played, the Blackcaps ended up on the wrong side of history in the 2019 Cricket World Cup final at Lord's.
Facing hosts England, the Blackcaps were denied their maiden World Cup crown on a boundary countback, separating the tie after innings and Super Overs.
While cruel, that heartbreaking loss was remedied somewhat by the Blackcaps' eight-wicket victory in the World Test Championship final earlier this year, with Kane Williamson's side lifting their first international trophy since 2001 at Southampton.
Two years later, the Blackcaps compete in another World Cup - this time in cricket's shortest format - starting against Pakistan in Sharjah on October 27.
Speaking to the The AM Show, Guptill made it clear the pain of 2019 plays no part in how the Blackcaps will approach their upcoming campaign.
"Different formats," Guptill says. "It's a completely new tournament.
"What happened in the 50-over World Cup was two years ago now, so we've all moved on. We've got to keep moving on and playing what's in front of us."
The Blackcaps won't have it easy when their tournament begins. Based on New Zealand's world ranking (fourth) in T20 cricket, the Blackcaps will enter the tournament at the Super 12 stage.
The Blackcaps will face traditional heavyweights India (second) and Pakistan (third) and surprise package Afghanistan (eighth), as well as two teams currently competing in a qualifying tournament.
And with the other side of the draw containing England, West Indies, Australia and South Africa, Guptill concedes it's too hard to pinpint the favourites to lift the trophy on November 15.
"Every team's got a huge chance," he says. "There's some strong sides going around and in T20 cricket, whoever's strongest on the day is going to take it out.
"We've got to be on our toes and make sure we're playing our 'A' game."
The Blackcaps complete their warm-up for the T20 World Cup against England on Wednesday night.
Join Newshub for live updates of the Blackcaps v Pakistan on October 27.
