1st ODI: Four-star Russell pleased with performance
Bowler helps West Indies beat New Zealand by 9 wickets.
KINGSTON:
West Indies fast-bowler Andre Russell was pleased with his performance as his four-wicket haul helped his side to a nine-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening One-Day International (ODI).
Russell took four for 45 as New Zealand were restricted to 190 for nine in 50 overs after being sent into bat. In reply, hard-hitting opener Chris Gayle smashed a third successive half-century and Dwayne Smith was also undefeated on 65 as West Indies overhauled a revised target of 136 in 33 overs for the loss of one wicket.
“I’m happy with the way I bowled,” said Russell. “It was good to come back after I missed the Twenty20 series and make an impression right away. To bowl first at Sabina Park, I knew I would get assistance from whatever moisture was in the surface.
“I got the opportunity to bowl with the new ball and I knew I could make good use of it. I decided to run in with purpose, hit the deck hard and look for wickets. We said wickets with the new ball would be vital and my focus was on getting them.”
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson called on his young side to make the most of their underdog status in today’s second match.
“It is disappointing, but we know we are underdogs and hopefully that breeds a fearless attitude in our camp,” said Williamson. “We have to move forward as that is the only thing that we can do in a five-match series. There are a lot of challenges for us, not only the quality of the opposition and the conditions, but more so [after] the injuries.”
Wicket-keeper BJ Watling’s 60 was the lone positive in New Zealand’s innings.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2012.
West Indies fast-bowler Andre Russell was pleased with his performance as his four-wicket haul helped his side to a nine-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening One-Day International (ODI).
Russell took four for 45 as New Zealand were restricted to 190 for nine in 50 overs after being sent into bat. In reply, hard-hitting opener Chris Gayle smashed a third successive half-century and Dwayne Smith was also undefeated on 65 as West Indies overhauled a revised target of 136 in 33 overs for the loss of one wicket.
“I’m happy with the way I bowled,” said Russell. “It was good to come back after I missed the Twenty20 series and make an impression right away. To bowl first at Sabina Park, I knew I would get assistance from whatever moisture was in the surface.
“I got the opportunity to bowl with the new ball and I knew I could make good use of it. I decided to run in with purpose, hit the deck hard and look for wickets. We said wickets with the new ball would be vital and my focus was on getting them.”
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson called on his young side to make the most of their underdog status in today’s second match.
“It is disappointing, but we know we are underdogs and hopefully that breeds a fearless attitude in our camp,” said Williamson. “We have to move forward as that is the only thing that we can do in a five-match series. There are a lot of challenges for us, not only the quality of the opposition and the conditions, but more so [after] the injuries.”
Wicket-keeper BJ Watling’s 60 was the lone positive in New Zealand’s innings.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2012.