NZ vs ENG 2018: Need a Bit of Luck, We Aren't Machines - Chris Woakes
Published - 27 Feb 2018, 01:35 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:49 PM
England all-rounder, Chris Woakes, received a substantial amount of criticism after failing to defend nine runs in the final over of Hamilton ODI. Woakes went on to state one needs a bit of luck as players are only humans, and not machines.
In the ODI series opener against New Zealand, the Englishmen posted a total of 284 in front of the hosts. Joe Root and Jos Buttler powered the England score with their respective contributions of 71 and 79.
New Zealand chased down the total in thrilling fashion, with the help of a momentous partnership between Tom Latham and Ross Taylor. However, it was the quickfire knock of Mitchell Santner which took his team past the finishing line.
Santner scored an unbeaten 27-ball 45 under pressure, which consisted of four sixes and a couple of boundaries. With nine required of the final over of death bowling specialist Woakes, the southpaw smashed a boundary and six in the first two deliveries to seal the deal for his side.
“There have been times when you come through it and you bowl that last over and you’re the hero. There are other times when it goes against you. Unfortunately, it did,” quoted Chris Woakes post the 3-wicket defeat.
NZ lead the 5-match ODI series by 1-0
“You try to put yourself in that mindset where it has gone well before and try and visualise it. But we aren’t machines and sometimes you are going to slightly get it wrong. You do need a little bit of luck in those last overs,” added Woakes according to Espncricinfo.
Also Read: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2017/18: Jaydev Unadkat Joins Saurashtra Ahead of Final
In hindsight, Woakes believes the result might have been different had Santner didn’t score a boundary off the first ball of the final over.
“Had that first ball [of the last over] been dug out for a single or a dot, it completely changes the outlook on the rest of the over. It’s just the way it goes,” introspected Chris Woakes.
Also Read: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2017/18: KL Rahul Joins Karnataka’s Camp on the Eve of the Final
