New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Latham, who scored a match-winning century in the team’s astonishing win over India, prefers playing the sweep shot against the spinners rather than hitting them down the ground.
At the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, he attacked Indian spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav with consistent sweeps and reverse-sweeps. Talking to the reporters ahead of the 2nd ODI, Latham said, “Everybody is different in the way they play spin in different conditions. I think the Indians play the different way, they are used to these conditions and they have got their game. One thing that comes to me is sweep that I have played throughout my career. It’s something that I find easier to play than hitting down the ground.”
The southpaw was also one of the top run-getter when the Blackcaps toured India last year. He paid heed to the advice by senior player Ross Taylor who asked him to use sweep and reverse sweep to disturb the length of Yadav and Chahal. He said, “I am not too sure (about the secret to success). We had a lot of preparation back home, coming out of the winter, when we come to India, it is obviously massive focus on spin and we were lucky enough to be here last year, so we knew a little bit how India played and watching them against the Australian team, so lot of work in terms of spin and playing in the middle.”
He further added, “I put a little bit of work in terms of coming over here and playing spin. On surfaces back home they were a little bit drier and quite responsive to spin. So, that was (a part) of the preparation.”
The Kiwis are on the verge of winning their first series in India and Latham reckons that they have a chance to do that. He said, “It was obviously pleasing to make a contribution and be there until the end (in Mumbai). The partnership which I and Ross (Taylor) put on was vital for that and Ross played very well and deserves credit. We have got one more game starting tomorrow, and if we play some good cricket then hopefully we would give us a chance of winning the series.”
Tom concluded by expressing that he is happy with his current batting position, as earlier he uses to open the innings, he said, “It was nice to have those two warm-up games beforehand, and contribute in those games and start against spin. I have played in that position (No 5) before when I started playing for New Zealand. So, it’s not a position which is unfamiliar to me. It was more of a tactical shift than anything. Coming in the middle when the ball is a little bit softer and playing a bit more spin. It is nice that I adapted quickly.”
