Williamson urges team to play with freedom and stay positive after Australia defeat

Skipper Kane Williamson emphasised on competing with the right mindset, which allows to play with freedom, after New Zealand slipped to their second defeat in the World Cup.

The Black Caps looked in a strong position early in the game with Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson reducing Australia to 92 for 5 at Lord's on Saturday.

But a 107-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Alex Carey (71) and Usman Khawaja (88) changed the course of the game as Australia battled to 243 for nine.

It proved to be a stiff target as New Zealand fell to 157 all out in their chase.

"Once again, it is about moving on, and going to Durham and looking forward to a new surface and new opposition (England)," Williamson said after the defeat.

"We as a side need to be really positive and play with that freedom, because when we do that, that is when we play our best cricket, and that's the sort of mindset we need to have."
"Maybe there's a dent in momentum. But then at the end of the day, it is coming back to the cricket that we want to play. Playing with those cricket smarts throughout this tournament has been perhaps the most important thing."