NICK HOWSON: Whoever prevails in the first men's T20 World Cup semi-final in Abu Dhabi, it can be traced back to the culture and mentality fostered by Eoin Morgan and Kane Williamson
For at least a few more days the environment will remain the centre of discussion, as the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow approaches its climax. The rhetoric from world leaders and influencers has been relentless. Like every roundtable meeting, the real test comes when those assembled have returned to their silos and come under pressure to substantiate their promises.
As is typical in the world of politics, events often set the agenda and the coming weeks will present a new priority. Questions around claims made during Cop26 will become easier to deflect and avoid.
England and New Zealand men's cricket teams need no convincing about creating the right environment: it is a long-term commitment. Win or lose the first T20 World Cup semi-final in Abu Dhabi, the harmony in the dressing room, the strategy of the team and the onus on freedom will remain key parts of the process for captains Eoin Morgan and Kane Williamson. It is what allows them to perform across the formats they oversee.
It is no coincidence that meetings between England and New Zealand in the knock-out phase of global ICC events have become a regular occurrence since both were enlisted to lead their white-ball teams. This is the third in as many World Cups, with England prevailing in both the 2016 semi-final in Delhi and the 2019 50-over final at Lord's. Once you have created a foundation and philosophy, your constant flow of talent is always likely to produce.
With five players on the sidelines, the ODI world champions' beliefs will become important once again. It didn't let them down during the summer when their entire first-choice squad was sidelined by a Covid-19 outbreak and a second-string beat Pakistan 3-0 in the ODI series.
Yet with Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran and Tymal Mills joined on the absentee list by Jason Roy after his calf tear against South Africa, the next week will be a test of those principals again.
Morgan and Williamson go head-to-head at a World Cup once again
"I think it would be a really strong representation of what the 50-over side have achieved since 2015," said Morgan, when asked where winning this T20 World Cup would rank given those missing in action. "I think we had a glimpse of that during our summer when we had to replace 15 players against Pakistan and they ended up beating Pakistan's strongest ODI team 3-0.
"I think that was a good instance of an English cricketer. But I think if we could achieve something like that it would be quite close. You might only get to the final and lose, but getting to the final would be a hell of an achievement."
West Indies lost Fabian Allen, New Zealand Lockie Ferguson, Bangladesh Mohammad Saifuddin and Shakib Al Hasan and Pakistan Sohaib Maqsood but no nation has been as affected by injuries as England. They're almost half a team down, three of them being World Cup winners from two years ago.
"I think it's a really good compliment to the changing room and all the players and maybe more the support staff and the coaching staff who create an environment where young players can come in and thrive," added the skipper.
"It's a great culture to be able to come in and both learn and thrive at the same time. And it's seemed to work for us for some time. We've always talked about having strength in depth within our squads as a whole.
T20 WORLD CUP TEAM GUIDES
"There have been some instances where we've had to put out replacing teams, but I think in doing so you could have 30 or 40 players within your domestic setup that could play international cricket or have the ability to do so.
"But if the right environment isn't set up, it doesn't matter what 11 you pick. You're not going to perform as an inexperienced player, you're going to have go with experienced players the whole time."
New Zealand too rely on a harmonious environment to allow players to showcase their talent and it is why they are so often described as greater than the sum of their parts. They have just one player inside the top 42 in the men's T20 Player Index (Glenn Phillips at No.30) while England have 10. There are no Kiwis inside the top 10 run-scorers in the competition and Trent Boult is the only bowler in the top eight wicket-takers.
And yet here they are, after wins over India, Scotland, Namibia and Afghanistan, back at the sharp end of a global ICC event. They achieved one of the most popular wins of the year in the World Test Championship final against India back in June and no one would say they don't deserve another crack at silverware in the United Arab Emirates.
"For us as a team, we're always trying to improve and commit to what is important to us as a team," he said. "And that forever changes a little bit. And I suppose over the years you look back to perhaps the last T20 World Cup. There have been a few personnel changes, and I suppose that's the same on all sides.
Jason Roy has joined England's lengthy absentee list
"But for us, our thoughts, our environment is something that is important. But it doesn't promise. It's been nice to be involved in some memorable games in recent times. But the focus for the sides sort of was the bigger picture and trying to make those small adjustments and it's nice that the side have largely been tracking pretty well in that respect.
"Having said that, you turn up in finals cricket and especially in T20 cricket on the day. It's match-winners throughout and anything can happen. But it's exciting and the players are really looking forward to the occasion.
"But largely for us it's just always trying to improve and give to the people around us."
While England have been forced to embrace their various ailments, New Zealand are trying to hide their own. Williamson has been nursing an elbow injury for much of the year which forced him to miss part of the England Test series, The Hundred and matches in the IPL.
"That has been a bit of a challenge for me personally," he conceded. "And the balance between the loading of the elbow and things like that to try and stay as fresh as possible for the game. So it's a bit of a delicate balance to get my head around.
"I certainly look forward to the day that it's gone and I don't have to worry too much about it. But as it stands, it's a topic of discussion and just trying to work closely with the physio to make sure in the games you're as fresh as possible. But it's had an impact on loading, therefore, meaning training sort of been a little bit - a lot less, to be fair."
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