New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said his side need to put up the fighting spirit of century-maker Tom Blundell if they want to bounce back from their second-Test thrashing by Australia. Opener Blundell was the last man out in Melbourne after scoring 121.

“Obviously it was hard work out there, the task was immense. But you look at some small positives… that was a truly fantastic innings,” Kane Williamson said after the 247-run defeat in their second Test. “He led the way and it is important that we all take something from that.”

“The effort from the bowlers throughout was something that is inspiring to us as a team, that never-give-up attitude. But at the same time if we are looking for areas to improve there are a few of them. We do need to try and put Australia under a bit more pressure before their first innings total gets past that point of control,” he shared.

Read here: Australian Pace Bowler Peter Siddle Retires From International Cricket

Australia took the game away from New Zealand on the very first day when Williamson won the toss and put them into bat.

“I felt like there was enough in the surface to bowl first and it was obviously very important for us to be on top of our game and the surface did offer some sideways movement and swing,” he shared. “But credit to Australia for getting through that first session and put 400 on the board.”

Kane Williamson and his boys should regroup quickly for the third and final Test in Sydney later this week. Although the series has been lost they will be playing for pride only.

“All round from our perspective we need to be better in all departments. We do need to be better come Sydney,” he said. “We haven’t been at our best, but it is important that we try and learn really quickly and improve in all areas.”