adminCHRISTCHURCH. – Three of New Zealand’s senior cricket players – Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Martin Guptill – were under pressure yesterday as coach Mike Hesson reviews what went wrong in the 2-0 series hiding by Australia.
Australia won the second Test on Wednesday by seven wickets to go with their innings and 52-run win in the first Test.
In a telling summer for New Zealand, they lost four and drew one in home and away series against Australia – now the top-ranked side in the world – while they won a home series against the lower ranked Sri Lanka 2-0.
Southee and Boult, both listed among in the world’s top 10 bowlers, were unable to conjure up the same rhythm and swing that has made them a devastating partnership.
They took two wickets apiece in Australia’s sole innings of 562 in the first Test. In the second Test, where Australia produced scores of 505 and 201-3, Boult took three wickets from a total of 48 overs while Southee took just one from 32.
In that second innings, Matt Henry was preferred ahead of Southee to take the second new ball.
“I think there will be,” Hesson said when asked if he would face selection headaches in the post Brendon McCullum era.
“Tim and Trent for two years have been exceptional for us but we have different guys in the squad who do different things,” Hesson said, singling out Neil Wagner for his 6 for 106 in the first innings of the second Test.” – AFP.
Online Reporter