New Zealand’s stand-in captain Tom Latham lauded the Indian bowling attack which bundled them out for 62 in the first innings of the second and final Test in Mumbai and then wrapped their second innings for 167 in a chase of 540 runs, as India won the match by 372 runs and series 1-0.
While Kiwis’ own Ajaz Patel shined brightly with figures of 14/225 including a historic innings return of 10/119; Indian spinners R Ashwin (8 wickets), Akshar Patel (3 wickets), and Jayant Yadav (5 wickets) proved to be too much for the visitors.
"In these conditions, you can't just allow them to bowl to, they are very good and they are very accurate and they don't give you much to hurt. For us it is about trying to put more pressure on them to get more fielders away from the bat. For us it is about guys sitting, having a certain plan and being able to stick to that and unfortunately, if you have a plan and if you get out then that's the game and that's just cricket," said Latham at the post-match Press Conference.
Only Daryl Mitchell managed a half-century for New Zealand in the match, while Henry Nicholls made 44 in the second innings. However, in the first innings, the Kiwis were demolished for 62 runs, their lowest score in a Test against India.
"I think from our point of view something that we always talk about is the character and the effort that the group has been put in. Obviously when you get bowled out for 60-odd in your first innings. It obviously puts you behind. Something that we talked about is the character in the group and try to stay in the game and put everything you can and we have certainly done that in the last four days. Take the first innings out of it then obviously it's a different story," said Latham.
Veteran Kiwi batter Ross Taylor managed just 20 runs across four innings in the series and his outing in the second innings of the Mumbai Test was one of the most bizarre eight balls a batter of his caliber faced.
"Ross obviously had the approach where they are trying to put their bowlers under pressure. As soon as you do that then sub-continent teams tend to take players away from the bat quickly. Unfortunately for Ross, it did not work out," said Latham on Ross Taylor.
"I think it is a mix of everything. At times over here you going to be face seamers with the new ball and you are also going to be challenged by spinners with the new ball but as a cricketer, you are always looking to improve and you are always looking to get better. I am sure the guys are also looking to do that when they get home and when we are traveling in different parts of the world." explained Latham.
"As I said the longer you go on in India the tougher it gets. We know how good they are in their own conditions. Unfortunately, we were 5-down overnight and we had full confidence that the boys can go and bat as long as they can but unfortunately, it did not happen," added Latham.
Latham also talked about the amount of cricket being played and the effect on players from constant life in bio-bubbles and restrictions.
"Different guys have been away from home from different periods of time. There was a Test group that came. We have not been here for a long time but the T20 guys have been away from home for a long time. But since international cricket is a part of our job and that is what it happens and spending time away from home is what happens.
The schedule also was that there was a T20 WC and the Test series after it has been a long time away from home but I know the guys must be looking to go home. Spending some time with families around Christmas and reconnecting with them and before we start our preparations for Bangladesh cricket coming up," said Latham.
(ANI inputs)
