New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has admitted that his side’s excruciating loss in the World Cup final “took a lot out” of his team mentally, and the feeling of tiredness might not have completely dissipated even with the start of the World Test Championship.
“The World Cup took a lot out of everyone, mentally more so than physically, then you’re away for another 5-6 weeks at the start of the Test Championship,” Stead said. “Whilst that brought a new focus, it doesn’t necessarily take away the feeling of tiredness and being on the road.
“It’s important that the guys mentally have a break and get ready for a massive summer.”
England won the tied final on account of superior boundary count, after both teams finished with level scores in actual play and in the super over. It was a second successive final loss for New Zealand in World Cups, after having lost to Australia in the title clash of the previous edition in 2015.
Less than a month after the heartbreak, New Zealand toured Sri Lanka, contesting two Tests and three T20Is. While honours were shared in the Test series, New Zealand triumphed 2-1 in the shorter format, running into hat-trick hero Lasith Malinga in the third game. Kane Williamson and Trent Boult were awarded rest from the T20 leg of the tour.
“We learned a lot [from the Sri Lanka series]. It was important for us to see different guys in situations,” Stead said. “We had a number of injuries, which was a challenge, and we had some tight results. All three could have gone either way, and it was good to be on the right side of two of them.”
Lasith Malinga has just taken four wickets in four balls against New Zealand.
Yep, you read that right.#SLvNZ SCORECARD:https://t.co/TDQ4LBRGwE pic.twitter.com/yqrIUUfXMH
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 6, 2019
Stead reserved special praise for Mitchell Santner, who broke into the top five of the ICC T20I bowling rankings, picking up four wickets in three games.
“Tim [Southee] and Mitch [Santner] were outstanding with the ball, they were the rocks we could build our game-plan around. Colin [de Grandhomme] batted beautifully and showed a different side of his game, not necessarily power, but also the ability to work the ball around. He was involved in a couple of key partnerships.
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“Santner bowled really well over a long period of time. And with his batting, he finished two games in two or three balls, and managed to hit them out of the park. He’s done that in the IPL as well, and I think he’s really learning to play that finishing role.”
With their next assignment two months away, the Kiwis will have ample time to recalibrate their sensors and gain much-needed rest. They will host England for five T20Is and two Tests, starting with the first T20I on November 1.
