Bengaluru, Sept 2: The New Zealand batsmen have put up a drastically improved performance in Bengaluru so far after the debacle in Hyderabad. They have looked way more confident and scored way more runs. As a result, at the end of Day 3, the Kiwis are poised to post a difficult target for India to chase in the fourth innings of the second Test. After scoring 365 in the first innings, the visitors are already 244 runs ahead in the second innings with one wicket in hand.
In an interaction with the media, New Zealand’s assistant coach and batting mentor, Bob Carter, expressed satisfaction on his wards’ performances and backed them to play positively, even if it means losing a few wickets. He also hopes the Kiwi bowlers can finish the match in style by getting the ball to move.
Excerpts:
On whether the 244-run lead with one wicket in hand is enough
We won’t know until we get on to the field tomorrow. We have three young bowlers who are raring to go. We are going to go out there and look to a fresh guard. We are going to look to make the ball swing and get into a good enough position to press for a win.
On James Franklin throwing his wicket away
That happens sometimes when we take a positive approach. We have to go out there and play the strokes. That helps you to get more opportunities to score runs. I think James was doing the right thing by trying to get some runs for us. You should also credit the bowlers for the way they bowled.
On whether the batsmen crossed the fine line between being aggressive and taking risks
It required us to be positive and get out there and get some runs. Now we have a handy lead and that has given us an opportunity in this game. Obviously we want our players to get more runs. But sometimes it doesn’t come off.
On the performance of the New Zealand bowlers
If you look at the Indian line-up, it’s very strong. All our bowlers look forward to those challenges. Our bowlers are looking forward to bowl at the Indian top order once more. If the ball begins to swing early on and the pitch plays up and down, that’s going to be interesting. Hopefully, the pitch plays the same tomorrow as well.
On Tim Southee’s seven for 64
I really thought it was a wonderful performance. In this Test, after being selected, he really paid back the selectors and I think he really bowled very well to the overnight batsmen today. To get Kohli, who was on a hundred, the way he did was an outstanding piece of bowling. Seven wickets in India is not just something that he would remember, that’s what we all would remember as well.
On the Bengaluru wicket
We saw a very good pitch. If we hit the pitch hard, you can get the ball to carry. When Southee was bowling, he got some balls to lift and carry while some balls kept low. So hoping that as the Test match progresses, the pitch deteriorates as a normal wicket should do.
