Young focused on NZ's success with CWC27 spot up for grabs

Will Young set up the Black Caps' win over India in the fourth ODI with a blistering hundred.

14 November, 2026

New Zealand batter Will Young insists he is placing team success ahead of personal selection ambitions ahead of next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, following his career-best century against India in Mount Maunganui.

Young anchored New Zealand's commanding 244-run victory in the fourth ODI at Bay Oval on Friday, striking 125 off 108 balls that included 14 fours and four sixes to propel the hosts to 333 before Matt Henry's six-wicket haul dismantled India for 89.

The result trimmed India's series lead to 2-1, setting up a decisive fifth ODI at the same venue on Sunday.

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With the 2027 Men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia approaching, Young acknowledged the battle for places within the Black Caps setup, though he maintained that individual milestones take a back seat.

"I'm trying not to look at it that way, to be honest," Young said during a media interaction on Saturday.

"There is a World Cup around the corner, and there's a lot of people that want to be in that squad and on that plane to Africa, so I think at the moment every player that gets an opportunity is looking to put their best foot forward.

"The best thing about this team is it's all about contributing to the team success rather than worrying about your own game and looking over your shoulder as to who else is doing well.

"But it is an important series, and there's a couple more series as well leading up to the World Cup that are important to try to stake your claim to make that squad.

"But the most important thing I think is being a good team man and trying to contribute in different ways towards the team success that will get you on that plane."

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Young's fifth ODI hundred did not come without early fortune, as India put down two catches when the right-hander was on five. Having been dismissed in similar fashion during the second ODI in Wellington, Young admitted he had to quickly reset after the reprieves.

"The first time I was quite frustrated at myself, because it was a similar way that I got out in the second ODI, but then after the second one happened, the very next ball, I just had to laugh it off, and that's exactly what I did," Young said.

"I laughed it off and just tried to concentrate on the next ball as if it was any other ball."

Once settled, Young benefitted from an explosive 85-run opening stand alongside Tim Seifert, who hammered 58 off 48 balls to give New Zealand early momentum inside the powerplay.

"I think you've got to remember that cricket is a team sport and thankfully Seifert was seeing it like a beach ball at the other end and I could sort of just ride along with the momentum that he'd created," Young said.

"Then after a while, I managed to find my timing as well and created some meaningful partnerships throughout the innings, so that was great."

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A notable feature of Young's knock was his proactive use of the sweep against India's spinners, a shot he credited to years of touring the subcontinent across domestic, New Zealand A, and international assignments.

"I didn't always sweep," Young said.

"Growing up in New Zealand, the sweep isn't a shot you really need. It doesn't turn as much here; it's normally the bounce that can get you stuck, but thankfully over my cricketing career I've travelled to India and other parts of the subcontinent and have had the chance to grow my game and learn.

"It's across all different types of opportunities I've had, some at an amateur level, some with the New Zealand A side, and obviously in the international game as well, so as my career has gone on I've managed to work out what can work in certain conditions and against certain bowlers and just keep it in my toolbox for when I think the time's right in the game."

After contributing during New Zealand's last tour to India, Young was happy to deliver against the same opposition in different conditions at home.

"It's nice in a way to have that challenge of facing world-class bowlers, but this time it's different; it's in New Zealand, so the conditions are slightly different.

"Yesterday's wind was a massive factor, which isn't always the case in India, so yeah, it's nice to be in the set-up long enough now for batters to get a feel for what a bowler brings, and then depending on what conditions you face on the day you can bring out those skills."

New Zealand and India return to Bay Oval on Sunday, 15 November for the fifth and final ODI, with the hosts aiming to level the series at 2-2.