Ian Smith, a former New Zealand cricketer and commentator, has slammed the team’s setup under home circumstances. Instead of “hiding in the grass” at home, Smith has challenged the Kiwis to concentrate on developing spin potential. He believes that New Zealand’s over-reliance on speed and movement is costing them money when they visit the subcontinent.
During the first Test against India in Kanpur, New Zealand tweakers Ajaz Patel, William Somerville, and Rachin Raveendra bowled 102 overs. Patel was the only one of the trio to be recognized for his performance, taking three wickets in two innings. On the other side, the Indian spinners have shared 10 of the 11 Kiwi wickets so far.
Ian Smith told New Zealand that surviving the final day and saving the Test would only cover the gaps in their armor for a short time.
“Surviving today is temporarily sealing the cracks. We have to get more revolutions on the ball and stop hiding in the grass. It’s so lopsided in their favor it’s not funny. Just as it is for the quicks when we host teams here. Unfortunately, though for us, that is now coming to our detriment in the subcontinent, and we’ll always do so unless we learn to play it better,” Ian Smith said
Tim Southee
He applauded Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson’s ball-handling efforts, which have kept New Zealand in the game despite the fact that they are facing an uphill battle on Day 5.
“It’s a hell of a compliment to Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson that we’re actually still playing this Test match. Our three spinners bowled 102 overs. For India, 10 out of the 11 scalps they’ve got so far are to spin.” he said
In the match, Tim Southee took eight wickets, including a five-fer in the first innings. In the meantime, his new-ball partner Jamieson took three wickets in each innings.
The triumph in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, while joyous, characterized New Zealand’s approach to spin, according to Ian Smith. In the WTC final versus India at Lord’s, New Zealand won with an all-seam attack.
“The greatest of the tweakers, Shane Warne, marveled at our success in winning the World Test Championship final but without having [or] using a spinner. He did say it was somewhat disappointing and a poor reflection. He’s a tad bias to spin, we know that, but we need to shift ours a little bit more in that direction,” Ian Smith said.
Smith went on to say that only when the team has quality spinners can the hitters learn to play spin better.
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