Black Caps’ fielding concerns

Renowned for setting the standard in world cricket with fielding, the Black Caps have been a shadow of their former selves.

They were sloppy in the park at Dunedin’s University Oval on Wednesday with several catches spilled and some poor ground fielding.

It continued a theme this home summer in all forms, where New Zealand have lacked spark in the field and put down chances they’d usually snaffle.

Coach Mike Hesson wasn’t impressed with the fielding display in Dunedin, labelling it ‘‘average at best’’.

Ross Taylor’s courageous 181 not out guided New Zealand to a five wicket win against the odds, levelling the ODI series at 2-2. That match-winning knock masked over some of the Black Caps’ problems from earlier in the day.

Once the euphoria subsided, Hesson would surely have had some stern words for his charges on the need for greater accuracy in the field.

‘‘We’ve been very inconsistent. We were very good the game before. We were average at best, [on Wednesday],’’ he said.

‘‘It’s certainly something we talk about. We do pride ourselves on the effort in the field and running off the ball and things like that. That’s certainly something that is a non-negotiable.’’

Mitchell Santner was the worst culprit, dropping a sitter at extra cover when English opener Jonny Bairstow was on 74. Bairstow punished New Zealand heavily, scoring a further 64 runs before he finally fell for 138.

There was a lack of intensity at the start of England’s innings, best summed up when wicketkeeper Tom Latham threw to the nonstriker’s end when Bairstow was comfortably in. No-one was backing up and the ball flew to the boundary for four overthrows and five runs.

The technique from several Black Caps’ fielders was also disappointing with the ball slipping past them for easy runs and untidiness in the deep trying to cut off boundaries.