McCullum has faith despite ‘hour of madness’
New Zealand captain backs batsmen after first-Test loss to England.
New Zealand’s top six were dismissed for under 40 for the third time this year, highlighting the problems being faced in the batting department. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum insisted he still had faith in his batsmen after an ‘hour of madness’ cost the team dear in a thumping first Test defeat at Lord’s.
England went 1-0 up in the two-match series, with more than a day to spare, after dismissing New Zealand for just 68 to secure victory by the huge margin of 170 runs.
Stuart Broad, who took a Test-best seven for 44, did the bulk of the damage as New Zealand’s pursuit of a victory target of 239 ended inside 23 overs. An otherwise even contest changed in the hour before lunch on Sunday as New Zealand slumped to 29 for six.
It was the third time in 2013 that New Zealand were six down for fewer than 40 runs.
“For so long in this game we were up with the play and at times we were dictating terms,” said McCullum. “Within an hour the game turned on its head. Our confidence started to subside and the difference between the two teams came down to that one hour of madness. We’ve taken some significant steps forward in the last little while but today was undoubtedly a step backwards.
“You’ve got to give credit where it’s due and Broad’s spell was high class. He swung the ball, was able to get the odd ball to hold its line up the slope and his lengths were impeccable.”
To make matters worse for New Zealand both wicket-keeper Bradley-John Watling (knee) and spinner Bruce Martin suffered injuries with the latter being ruled out for the remainder of the tour.
However, the injury to Martin means spinner Daniel Vettori could return to action in the second Test. Vettori has not played for the Black Caps for almost a year because of a hamstring injury and was left out of the squad for the two-Test series in England. But with Martin sidelined, there is a vacancy for a spinner heading into the second Test starting in Leeds on Friday.
“Daniel’s come over 24 hours earlier for us to have a chance to have a look at him,” said New Zealand coach Mike Hesson. “We won’t risk Dan for the sake of a Test but, in saying that, it is an important Test for us.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2013.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum insisted he still had faith in his batsmen after an ‘hour of madness’ cost the team dear in a thumping first Test defeat at Lord’s.
England went 1-0 up in the two-match series, with more than a day to spare, after dismissing New Zealand for just 68 to secure victory by the huge margin of 170 runs.
Stuart Broad, who took a Test-best seven for 44, did the bulk of the damage as New Zealand’s pursuit of a victory target of 239 ended inside 23 overs. An otherwise even contest changed in the hour before lunch on Sunday as New Zealand slumped to 29 for six.
It was the third time in 2013 that New Zealand were six down for fewer than 40 runs.
“For so long in this game we were up with the play and at times we were dictating terms,” said McCullum. “Within an hour the game turned on its head. Our confidence started to subside and the difference between the two teams came down to that one hour of madness. We’ve taken some significant steps forward in the last little while but today was undoubtedly a step backwards.
“You’ve got to give credit where it’s due and Broad’s spell was high class. He swung the ball, was able to get the odd ball to hold its line up the slope and his lengths were impeccable.”
To make matters worse for New Zealand both wicket-keeper Bradley-John Watling (knee) and spinner Bruce Martin suffered injuries with the latter being ruled out for the remainder of the tour.
However, the injury to Martin means spinner Daniel Vettori could return to action in the second Test. Vettori has not played for the Black Caps for almost a year because of a hamstring injury and was left out of the squad for the two-Test series in England. But with Martin sidelined, there is a vacancy for a spinner heading into the second Test starting in Leeds on Friday.
“Daniel’s come over 24 hours earlier for us to have a chance to have a look at him,” said New Zealand coach Mike Hesson. “We won’t risk Dan for the sake of a Test but, in saying that, it is an important Test for us.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2013.