New Zealand lost the second T20I by four wickets after posting 180, having also gone down in the series opener.
Walter said his team had performed well for large parts of both games but failed to apply the finishing touches. “Both games we could easily have been on the winning side of it, but weren’t,” Walter said. New Zealand head coach Rob Walter on Sunday rued missed opportunities in the first two T20Is against India but backed his team to bounce back, saying the visitors had failed to capitalise on crucial moments in two closely fought matches.
New Zealand had not played much competitive cricket as a team before the series, but Walter felt they had performed well for around 80 per cent of each match. However, he was pleased with the batting effort after New Zealand slipped to three wickets down in the powerplay before recovering to post 180. It’s not often you get to 180 from that position,” Walter said. “Bevon and Glenn did a hell of a job there to get us to 180 in the end, which was a defendable total if we’re honest.
But still so much good stuff to come out of both games so far,” he said. “No one’s ever trying to make those errors but it does creep in and it can cost you,” he said. I think last night was a great demonstration of his full repertoire of skills,” Walter said. Walter said Santner’s calmness and leadership were equally valuable to the side. The players are hugely respectful of his leadership and the way he leads the team,” he said. “We’re trying to really work through our rotations of fast bowlers,” he said, adding that Blair Tickner and Matt Fisher would join the squad, while Lockie Ferguson would miss a game and Matt Henry would remain at home. Walter said the team would need to adapt to conditions in Wellington, where swirling winds could make fielding difficult and the drop-in pitch could present different challenges. Meanwhile, Walter said the fitness of two players remained under assessment, with scans scheduled for Tuesday after the public holiday. He said the team would have more clarity on their condition after the examinations. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
“Probably missed out on a couple of opportunities each time where we probably would have sealed the game off for us. It’s a bit of disappointment but also very happy with how we’ve played. “We just haven’t been able to put the finishing touches on it each time, which is disappointing. Walter acknowledged that his team needed to improve in key moments, pointing to a no-ball and missed fielding opportunities in the second T20I. “Even back to last night, three down in the powerplay. Walter also praised skipper Mitchell Santner for his four-wicket haul in the second T20I, saying the left-arm spinner’s skill and control had swung the match in New Zealand’s favour. “Sometimes it’s unappreciated just how skilful he is. “It wasn’t a pitch that was turning a hell of a lot. There was a little bit of bounce on offer. But just the way he moved the ball around the crease and varied his pace. If you’re really appreciative of the art, it was a hell of a display. “It’s great to be able to lean on him as a calm head, even when there’s a lot going on. With the five-match series moving to Wellington for the third T20I, Walter also explained New Zealand’s decision to rotate their fast bowlers as part of a planned workload-management strategy ahead of a busy summer schedule. “It’s not a perfect science, but we’re doing our very best to give everyone a chance to get ready, while also ensuring they are at their best when they do run onto the park.
