Kane Williamson, New Zealand’s stand-in captain, has said his team needs to “reflect” on the lessons from the third ODI against Pakistan, and continue to learn how to cope with conditions that they are not used to. Pakistan had powered to 364 for 7, before bowling New Zealand out in just 38.2 overs to win by 147 runs and go 2-1 up.
Williamson said the side was still inexperienced, and so this match would be educational. “We’re going into different conditions, it has been happening all tour,” Williamson said. “And as a young unit it is important that we learn about all these different conditions.
“We certainly weren’t at our best and Pakistan were at their best and I think that created the gap in the game, which was very large today. But we know we can play better than that and it’s important that we do.”
He said it was important that his side formulated a plan to get close in such massive chases, should they come upon them in the future. “It’s always tough chasing a score like that. I think it’s important that when you do go out you break those sorts of totals down, and a lot of things need to go your way. I mean even though we didn’t get very close, it’s important that we reflect on our performance.”
The bowling also needed to be looked at, he admitted. He said the team did not use the bouncer as well as they had in the second ODI, where they won by four wickets after bowling out Pakistan for 252 at the same venue. “We didn’t use it [the short ball] as well. Obviously the wicket has changed a bit and we tried to bowl a different length, which in effect wasn’t as short as it was the other day. We probably needed to adjust earlier as a bowling unit.”