New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult has admitted that his team’s captain Kane Williamson is going through a tough time right now. After being blanked 3-0 in the Test series, the visitors were thrashed by the Indian team in the first ODI at Dharamsala. The Kiwis will be looking to register their first victory on the tour when they take on the hosts in the second ODI at Kotla on Thursday. Talking to the journalists ahead of the game, the pacer talked on various topics ranging from his team’s plan, the mood in the dressing room and much more.
Excerpts:
On his team’s plan to improve their performance:
As a unit, we are looking to get more runs. If we get more runs on the board, we can put more scoreboard pressure on a good Indian side. I am not going to single anyone out in terms of performance, but they should contribute with the bat, bowl and in the field. Try and put in more energy.
On his views on current captain Kane Williamson and former skipper Brendon McCullum:
Kane is a classy player and has been ranked as a top batsman for a reason. In a way, he has had pretty tough time walking into the role of captaincy. It has been a learning experience for the whole team to be honest. The way Brendon led the team, I don’t think anyone could do it as well as he did it. He set his own tone, we all know what kind of explosive batsman, he is. But we are stacked up with lot of quality players in the side and we need all of them to stand up and put in good performance.
On whether Ravichandran Ashwin’s effect is still worrying his team’s batsmen:
I am not too sure about that. Indians bowled well in Dharamsala to start off. Especially their seamers. They set the tone, managed to get us down to four in first 10 over. What the likes of Ashwin and Jadeja have done, we are not used to in home conditions.
On the mood in the team:
Obviously it hadn’t gone as we have liked it to be. It’s been a tough learning experience in Test series and a severe defeat in Dharamsala, the other night. The mood in the camp is positive and guys are looking forward to the challenge. Obviously luxury, five-match series, you have four match up for grabs and opportunity to right a few wrongs.