As Australia wrapped up the three-match series with a 279 -run victory in the Sydney Test on Monday (January 6), the stand-in New Zealand skipper Tom Latham admitted that the tourists were outplayed by the hosts in all three departments after humiliated Test series defeat.

Following yet another four-day test loss to Australia in Sydney, the Black Caps suffered the massive Test series defeat in their Test history and became the first New Zealand test team to suffer 0-3 loss here, which put their batting, bowling and fielding under the scanner.

The Blacks Caps were unbeaten in their six previous series before the Australia Tests and Latham, who led the Kiwis in the last Test in the absence of ill Kane Williamson, said they could only do pride themselves on the attitude and the effort they put in against the formidable hosts, saying “it just wasn't meant to be for us” after Test series whitewash by Tim Paine’s side.

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He further said that the Black Caps were too disappointed with the embarrassing Test series defeat as they arrived in enemy territory with some high expectations while pointing at the batting performance as they could cross 250 runs mark only once in six innings in Australia.

Latham told reporters, “There's no one more disappointed than ourselves. We came over here with some high expectations after some of the cricket we've played but credit has to go to Australia, the way they've played. They've been clinical in all three departments and put us under pressure for long periods and we haven't been able to put that pressure back on them.”

He continued, “Coming over to Australia it's always a challenge, it's an exciting challenge. You're put under pressure against the best in the world, in their own conditions.”

While saying “the bowlers were a highlight” during the Test series, Latham said of the batting: “From a batting point of view we never reached the standard we set ourselves. Look at the Australians, their first innings total put a big score on the board and were able to dictate terms from there.”

He added, “Something that we do pride ourselves on is the attitude and the effort. That's something that's never doubted in this group. The boys kept coming in spell after spell, when unfortunately it just wasn't meant to be for us.”

The stand-in skipper also urged his troops to learn from their mistakes in Australia and prepare themselves for the upcoming series against India at home.

Latham signed off by saying, “It's important we don't start pointing the finger or looking at other factors. It's important we learn from this and when we get back together as a red ball team, we face India and we can hopefully play our brand of cricket.”

(With Stuff/1News Inputs)