After having faced a 5-0 series whitewash in T20s, New Zealand beat India in ODIs by 3-0. However, the captain Kane Williamson expects a full-strength squad against India in the Tests. He again added that although there is nothing similar between the formats, he would love to carry forward their form in the longest format. The Test series will start in Wellington on February 21.
“It’s part and parcel of the game that you get guys who get injuries. We’ve obviously had a lot of that in recent times to deal with but there have not been any excuses. Guys have come in to try and play the roles that they’re given to the best of their ability and learnt a heap along the way,” he added.
“Obviously, a different side and a different format. Throughout a series you’re always trying to touch on areas as a group. It’s a different format but there are some parts guys will get confidence from going into that series. The focus does change but I know the guys are looking forward to that series.”
However, he praised his side’s effort in their first ODI series whitewash since 1989.
“Although we were 2-0 going up into this, there were certainly those expectations coming into this game to try and implement those things and also learn from those past performances that we had against India who are obviously one of the best sides in the world. It was an outstanding effort and a very clinical effort from the guys and I think the way we fought back with the ball was outstanding and the partnerships throughout that chase were brilliant as well,” added KAne Williamson.
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New Zealand won the ODIs despite missing key players like Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson etc. Moreover, Williamson himself was out for the first two games due to injury.
“It’s obviously disappointing when you lose. You always want to win. But there were a heap of good things in the T20I series. We all saw the fine margins that were out there in terms of the results. That’s such a long way away (the 2023 World Cup). Then you have injuries and you bring guys in. There were some brilliant opportunities for guys who grew throughout this campaign and played some major roles as well,” said the captain.
“Injuries aren’t ideal but there are still silver linings that guys come in and get opportunities to develop their games against one of the best teams in the world,” he expressed.
However, Kane Williamson said New Zealand played smart cricket and also managed to put pressure on the opposition. The batsmen did well against Indian bowling attack’s threat where Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless.
“We know that Bumrah is a world-class bowler in all of the formats. So he’s a threat when he has a ball in his hand but I think there’s too much to look into it. He’s obviously back into his cricket after a period of time off as well. But from what I saw, he’s bowling very nicely,” the captain concluded.
