Frustrating defeat, concedes Williamson

It might take a while for New Zealand to get over the six-run loss in the series-deciding third and final One-Day International against India in Kanpur on Sunday (October 29). Chasing 338, New Zealand required 35 off the last 24 balls with six wickets in hand, but the Indian bowlers held their nerve to see their side through to a seventh consecutive bilateral series win in the format.

Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, felt it was an opportunity missed to register its maiden ODI series win in India.

“Naturally you look back at a game, to lose by six runs, having come so close in a big run-chase is frustrating, disappointing,” said Williamson. “But if you sit back and look at the work that was put in in that batting innings to get so close, it is a really promising thing for this batting unit. It is hard to swallow, another decider here in India.

“You can look at different little things, but at the end of the day, there were really good signs. All you can do, I suppose, after any game, whether win or lose, is to move on to your next opportunity. And try to learn from that as best as you can and grow as a team. I am sure these will be our discussions that we will have shortly.”

Elaborating on the positives, Williamson said, “There were some lessons throughout the series; there always are when you play the best in the world. To perform the way we did in the first game was our best performance of the tour so far; this one could have been the best performance but it wasn’t to be on the day.

“A lot of good signs. I thought the bowlers stuck at it really well. Good surfaces. They were able to restrict a lot of the time and put a little bit of pressure despite the very good batting unit that India have. But you have got to be at your best when you play this Indian team, especially at home.”

Williamson spoke highly of Tom Latham, who was the top run-getter for New Zealand with 206 runs in three innings, including a century and a half-century.

“Our middle-order was something of a highlight throughout this series. Particularly Tom Latham, from opening the batting to coming into the middle-order, taking that role, adopting it like he has and batting so beautifully, it was a great sign for us.”

Williamson conceded that although his team adapted pretty well in alien conditions, India played better cricket throughout the series. “In general, it is a challenge adapting here. Conditions are fairly different, but I thought we did it fairly well,” said the New Zealand skipper.

“To come into the first game (in Mumbai, which New Zealand won) and adapt and play like we did was really promising. In the second game (in Pune), it was a point that we made, reflecting on that loss, that we could have adapted and communicated a little bit better to the change of surface.

“I suppose that brings us to this game. We spoke about it again. And I thought we did pretty well. On a good surface, on a new ground again, you do have to think on your feet when you turn up and make those decisions and learn as quickly as you can. Naturally, being the touring side, you don’t have as much experience on some of these surfaces.

“There are a lot of good signs. Such a fine line this game of cricket. We saw today, six runs. At the end of the day, you have to let it go and accept that throughout the series India were the better team.”

Williamson expressed satisfaction at the effort of his bowlers on a pitch he felt was in favour of the batsmen.

“If you bowl first, you don’t want the opposition to get 337, but it was a very good surface and a very fast outfield. After the start India got, the way we pulled it back in the last 10 overs was a good effort. The way the ball swung early on, you are never far away from perhaps taking some early wickets, but they are a very good batting unit and they played very well today. To restrict them was a good effort.”

Williamson also praised Mike Hesson, the coach, for his calmness and composure. “(Hesson is) very calm. Sheds perspective on things, which is always important,” he said. “The players are obviously in the heat of the battle and ride the emotion a little bit. Certainly one of his strengths has been to be able to sit back and look at it for what it is. I am sure his messages will be pretty similar to what I am talking to you guys.”