New Zealand stand-in captain Tim Southee admitted that it was a disappointing performance from them with the bat in the third T20I against India but the way they bounced back with the ball was pleasing at the McLean Park, Napier on Tuesday.
The Kiwis were skittled out for 160 runs after electing to bat first. In fact, the hosts were 130-2 after 15.4 overs and it looked like they will easily go on to post 190 runs on the board. However, it was not the case as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and failed to finish their innings on a high.
Devon Conway scored 59 runs while Glenn Phillips contributed with a quickfire 54 but they were dismissed in quick succession.
But the home team bounced back stronger with the ball as they dismissed the Indian openers cheaply. Furthermore, Ish Sodhi got the big wicket of Suryakumar Yadav to put New Zealand slightly ahead. However, at 75-4 after nine overs, rain played spoilsport and the DLS score was tied.
Tim Southee said in the post-match presentation, “It was disappointing even with the bat. We spoke about getting out there and and giving everything we could, take early wickets. We knew if we can get those wickets, anything could happen, but unfortunately, the weather came in. You don’t know until both sides batted on it, would have been an interesting game but hasn’t gone the full tilt.”
He added, “A little bit of uncertainty around the scoreboard about whether it was a tie when the rain came in. Could have gone either way, the way we attacked with the ball and to put them under pressure was pleasing. Nice to be back in some ODI cricket against a quality side like India. Hoping for a good crowd in Auckland.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand was skittled out for a paltry score of 126 runs in the second T20I and thus it was a disappointing batting show from them in the series.
The Kiwis will want to come up with a more collective batting effort in the ODI series. The first ODI will be played at Eden Park, Auckland on Friday.
