India vs New Zealand 2019: 'Certainly Wasn't Our Best Effort' - Kane Williamson

The India National Cricket Team has taken a one-nil lead in the five-match ODIs, courtesy an eight-wicket win in Napier. Meanwhile, New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, admitted his team didn’t play well and thus suffered such a beating. Adding it wasn’t their best effort on the field, Kane said the Indians bowled very well; particularly their short-ball length in the first ODI.

India draws first blood in the ODI series

NZ won the toss at the McLean Park and decided to bat first. Mohammed Shami began well for India, picking up two early wickets. As Guptill and Munro were back in the hut, Yuzvendra Chahal then outfoxed the hosts middle-order. Ross Taylor and Tom Latham gave easy return-catches to the leggie. Later, Kuldeep Yadav entered the frame. Before he ran through the tail, he had grabbed a stunner to dismiss Henry Nicholls. The unorthodox spinner then didn’t take long before helping India wrap New Zealand’s innings on 157.

During India’s chase, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan started playing cautiously. Until the lunch break interrupted, the Indian team didn’t lose a wicket. However, Rohit Sharma got caught in the slips on 11 off Bracewell. Then, the 91-run stand between Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli got India close on winning the game. Though Dhawan completed his 26th ODI fifty, Kohli got out to Ferguson 45. Rayudu and Dhawan then completed the formalities; as India won the game by eight wickets.

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We didn’t adjust well – Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson, the NZ captain scored 64 runs for his team. Though he didn’t find much support at the other end, Williamson’s form looked good. At the post-match presentation, he said,

“Certainly wasn’t our best effort. India, we expected them to be good and they really were on top of the game. The surface wasn’t as traditional as we thought it to be. India bowled well, particularly the lengths hit by their slower bowlers were really good. Getting to just 150ish on a pitch where 250-plus was needed, doesn’t help.”

“I think we didn’t adjust well enough to the surface, don’t think it was the lack of match practice that cost us. Their whole bowling unit contributed well and they need credit for that. We also did well with the ball, showed enough intent and will hope to take those things forward.”