Team just ran out of that drive to scrap: coach
‘‘THAT is not us — that is not the way we play,’’ Otago coach Rob Walter said when asked about his side’s record collapse.
The Volts ran out of fight in Auckland yesterday.
The team capitulated to be all out for just 80 in response to the Aces’ tally of 183 for seven.
It was the team’s sixth consecutive loss in the format and a record low score for Otago in the twenty20 format. Its previous lowest was 83, which it has posted twice.
The Volts made the playoffs last season but have been off the pace this year.
Auckland has been struggling as well but was much too good for Otago at home.
‘‘That was by far our worst performance in T20 cricket for a while now.
‘‘We’ve been scrapping all season really and maybe we just ran out of that drive to scrap and scrap some more.
‘‘It was a pretty poor performance from us, really.
‘‘I hope people would know enough about this team from the last two seasons that that is not us — that is not the way we play.
‘‘It is hugely disheartening to deliver a result like that. Obviously, our last game at home is against what will be a fullstrength Northern Districts side and we want to put a better foot forward.’’
That game is at the University of Otago Oval on Saturday and it will be Otago’s last match in the campaign. After yesterday’s loss it sits bottom of the table.
Despite a poor run, Walter said the team made several changes to the lineup recently and he is hesitant to make too many more for what will be a oneoff game.
The Volts are wellplaced in the oneday tournament which will resume later this month.