New Zealand bowlers have to get their act together against England
New Zealand bowlers have to get their act together against England
The third One-Day International (ODI) between England and New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton saw England finishing on 300-plus total once again, with the New Zealand batsmen ultimately coming to the rescue for their side. Amit Banerjee explains why the Black Caps’ bowling department needs to step its game up in order to reduce the pressure on the batsmen.
It seems to be raining runs in England at the moment. After witnessing totals in the range of quadruple-century in the first couple of games, it seemed that the bowlers were in store for some beating on the flat tracks that would greet them wherever they would go. While the pitches have done their job in unearthing a treasure of runs for the batsmen, the bowling department, especially that of New Zealand, has been complacent in its approach and needs to pull itself together if it is to provide any support to the batsmen. READ: ICC must come to rescue of bowlers as Eng vs NZ ODI series turns out to be a run-fest
The biggest disappointment for New Zealand in this series has been Mitchell McClenaghan. The fierce-looking pacer, who has been one of the more valuable finds for the Black Caps in the recent years, has been quite expensive in the one-dayers played so far. While he had a good outing in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL), he has failed to carry his form over to England. An overall economy of over eight ruins the credibility of taking wickets at crucial stage and McClenaghan has to discipline himself and stop offering runs to the batsmen if he is to maintain his place in the side.
In the spin department, Mitchell Santner has had a mixed time with the ball. An economy and average of 8.35 and 41.75 does not do justice to the four wickets that he has taken so far, two of which were came at an important stage in the second game. The left-arm spinner though, has proved himself as a useful hitter down the order, and will perhaps seal his place in the limited-overs engagements. READ: England’s belated ODI embrace
Credit has to be given where it is due though. Trent Boult was clinical during England’s run-fest in the first ODI, in which they finished on their highest-ever score of 408, and has been the most consistent and the leading wicket-taker in the tournament so far. His 4 for 55 was a saving grace for New Zealand in what was a woeful performance with the ball, and allowed England to recover from 202 for six to 408 for nine. However, he has been ruled out of the tournament, which will be a major blow for the Kiwis. READ: England out-New Zealand the Black Caps
On the other hand, there have been some improvements among the Kiwi bowlers. Tim Southee, who has opened the bowling for New Zealand alongside Boult in the recent years, had a poor run in the second game after missing out on the first, conceding 68 runs from nine overs. After getting pummelled in the first few overs in the third game, he bowled with precision and took wickets at crucial stages as he finished with figures of 3 for 44. He maintained a tight line during England’s collapse, during which they lost their last five wickets for just 14 runs.
Another success has been that of Ben Wheeler, who made his debut for the Kiwis in the third game after Boult’s exit from the tournament. It turned out to be good occasion for the youngster as he grabbed three wickets while conceding 63 runs from his quota of 10 overs, with a majority of those runs being given away in the middle overs. The youngster has given his captain hope of delivering in the coming games, and certainly deserves more chances in the future. READ: England have finally woken up to modern cricket
The batting department has delivered so far for the New Zealanders except in the first game; the ineptness shown by the bowlers only increases the pressure on the top and middle-order. Despite the brilliant form displayed by Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson and others, one cannot always depend on the batsmen to guide the side to victory, as a successful team is one which exhibits decisiveness in all departments.
(Amit Banerjee, a reporter at CricketCountry, takes keen interest in photography, travelling, technology, automobiles, food and, of course, cricket. He can be followed on Twitter via his handle @akb287)