Urvi Shah
Author, Beyond the Matches
In the third T20I between NZ and WI, NZ was looking forward to a win and complete the series 3-0 and on the other hand, WI was looking for a win to finish off 2-1. In the third T20I, the NZ squad walked in with a new captain Mitchell Santner who was playing the game as the captain for the first time. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
The innings started and WI was looking steady with their batting. It was a good day on the field for them as NZ bowlers gave away extra runs time and then. WI lost their first wicket at 16 runs as Ferguson came into the attack. They were just setting in the game when it started to drizzle. 2.2 overs (14 legal deliveries) were bowled. With the rains doing their visits, it seemed difficult to continue the match. Unfortunately, the match was abandoned due to rain.
NZ won the series 2-0. WIs’ chance to make up for the last two games was lost. They had a disappointing tour whereas the home team, NZ, had a delightful outing on the field.
Before signing off for this series, I have something to quote from what the WI captain Pollard said:
“Over the past decade or so, we’ve come here as a team and not really done well. Need a sort of self-introspection. From a fielding point of view, it’s about the attitude. That’s the time when you’re actually 11 vs 2 on the park. As individuals, we need a good look at ourselves in the mirror. This is international cricket. You don’t want to be a laughing stock, certainly, I don’t want to.”
That is some life lesson there!
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