NZ struggle for answers against Indian bowlers: Boult
NEW DELHI: New Zealand’s batsmen are struggling for answers against India’s bowling attack, Black Caps pace spearhead Trent Boult conceded yesterday, before the second one-day international in New Delhi. The Kane Williamson-led side mustered just 190 runs in the opening match in Dharamsala earlier this week, a total which India chased down in just 33.1 overs.
“We are looking to get more runs, as basic as it sounds. If we could put more runs on (the) board we could offer more scoreboard pressure on a good Indian side,” Boult told reporters on the eve of Thursday’s game. “They are a quality side and they are putting a lot of pressure on us at the moment and at the moment we don’t have the answers for their questions,” said Boult, whose team-mates were whitewashed by their hosts in the Test series. Debutant medium-pacer Hardik Pandya led an inspired bowling attack on Sunday, rattling New Zealand who slipped to 48 for five and 106 for eight before Tom Latham and Tim Southee gave some respectability to the visitors’ total.
“There are still four matches up for grabs. An opportunity (is there) for us to right a few wrongs and put in a good performance,” said Boult, who expects to play at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla stadium after being rested for the first game.
India’s coach Anil Kumble said Pandya’s inclusion had given the starting eleven the “right balance”. The 23-year-old, who has played 16 Twenty20 internationals for India, impressed with match figures of 3-31 in seven overs in the first ODI.
“I think he is someone who gives us the right balance, because he cannot only bowl but he bowls at a pretty decent pace,” said Kumble. — AFP