Ahmedabad, Nov 7: New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum on Saturday said that his team had bounced back after the disappointment of the series against Bangladesh and were showing great fighting spirit both, with the ball and the bat.
Speaking to media persons at the end of Day 3 of the Motera Test, McCullum said that although he was disappointed to miss out on a hundred, he was happy for his teammates – Jesse Ryder and Kane Williamson – for putting up a brave performance.
Excerpts from the conference.
On Day 3’s play
There's still two days to go in the Test and we've all seen that a lot can happen in Indian conditions in that time on a wearing wicket. We have five wickets tomorrow and we have to bat as deep as we can. [We have to] try and get as close as we can to the Indian total, hopefully go past it and then control what we can with the ball. It's not going to be easy. Our bowling attack is a little bit light with Hamish [Bennett] down and Jesse [Ryder] with a bit of a tight calf as well. But today we've fought our way back and shown strength of character.
On his team’s performance
We've walked away incredibly satisfied with our day's work. We're under no illusions about how hard it's going to be, but it's a step in the right direction for us as a team. From a spectator's point of view as well, it was enthralling cricket right the way through.
On debutant Kane Williamson’s performance
He's 20 years of age. Guys don't tend to develop in New Zealand till they're much older than that. He's an incredible talent. We saw that during his one-day hundred in Bangladesh a couple of weeks ago, and we've seen it here against a very good Indian bowling line-up. His ability to negotiate tough periods and fight his way through [is impressive]. He has a real calm presence at the crease and I hope he goes on tomorrow to what would be a memorable Test hundred.
On his role in the Test team
I'm going through a challenge at the moment, [that] of becoming a Test opening batsman. It's quite different from my previous 50 Tests. I enjoyed the role that I had to play in this game. I was happy to get a score and bat some overs, take some shine off the ball. But I was also bitterly disappointed to get out after doing the hard work. Hopefully, I'll get an opportunity in the second innings to make a significant impact.
You work so hard to get into that situation. You feel you have a decent read on what the bowlers are doing. I was disappointed to leave two new guys at the crease so close to Ross' [Taylor’s] dismissal.
On the partnership between Jesse Ryder and Kane Williamson
[When the two batsmen got together,] I sat back and watched some of the best batting we've seen from a New Zealand No.5 and No.6 for a long, long time. I don't think anyone could have expected those guys to play as well as they did. We have high expectations of each member of this team, but Jesse hasn't played a Test for a while and Kane was playing his first. To put on that size partnership against quality bowlers has put us in a position where we're now back in the Test.
On his side’s improvement from a disappointing series in Bangladesh
It's incredibly significant. We've gone through a tough time in the one-day game. It can have a follow-on effect to other forms of the game. But today, we've bounced back. We saw it yesterday with the ball too. It's nice to tick off some improvements. There are some characteristics we want to be known for as a team. That's fighting like we have done today and showing the talent that many of us batsmen do have.