Daniel Vettori
BLACKCAPS captain Daniel Vettori talks after the Test loss the Pakistian at the Basin Reserve.
On the last four days…
“It’s pretty simple. I think it smacks us straight in the face that the first innings batting performance put us in the position that we are in. To bowl a team out for under 250 in both innings is a fantastic effort and we just couldn’t back it up with the bat and that’s been our problem for a long time. We are searching for ways to address it but we are not getting it right.”
On where the issue may be…
“Guys have fought their way back into the team with first class performances so they should be in a good space about their form and other guys have got some test match performances under their belt so I think it is a combination of things and if we could pin point it then it would make a huge difference. At the moment of our top six, Ross Taylor is really the only one who is stepping up and leading.”
On his thoughts as to where to go from here…
“I think a couple of guys are going to come under severe scrutiny and that’s only right I think, that’s the nature of Test cricket. You get some chances but not too many so there are going to be some guys who are going to probably get some tough news..”
On batting replacements…
“I really have to get into that with the selectors before we discuss names but I think the top six bar Ross will all be scrutinized. The guys that are in form at the moment are probably Craig Cummings, BJ Watlings have scored runs. Neil Broom’s been scoring runs too so anyone who has been scoring runs will obviously get a mention.”
On the coaching support between Dunedin and Wellington..
“We had John Wright here for a coupe of days, he has worked pretty well with the guys. But everyone knows in Cricket its up to the individual to get himself in the right space and its him walking out there into the middle and him taking control of his career so I think we do get enough support but you have to put the onus on the individual rather than whatever is going around.”
On training indoors leading up to this Test…
“It shouldn’t have been a factor. Everyone has played cricket for a long time so you have just got to adapt. I wouldn’t put any blame on that.”
On moving on to the next Test…
“The first innings performance is something that can’t be explained and you can’t apologise for it. It was devastating for our bowlers to do so well and then to only bat for 36 overs. So in my mind I have got to balance up not being to scathing with trying to give these guys some confidence heading into a deciding Test match and that’s what we just talked about in the dressing room. You have to review yourself and be pretty tough on yourself and everyone here is going to be tough on our batters and that’s right, but basically from the time we leave here you got to start building confidence for Napier. There is no point getting down because if you get another chance you have to take it.”
