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 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.
“It’s great to be able to lean on him as a calm head, even when there’s a lot going on. 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.
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.
