'We Know We're a Good Side': Blair Tickner Backs New Zealand to Bounce Back Against India
New Zealand pacer Blair Tickner backs his side to bounce back against India in the second ODI in Wellington after a series-opener loss.
After a disappointing start to the three-match series, New Zealand is determined to fight back. Pacer Blair Tickner has expressed full confidence in his team's ability to recover from their series-opener defeat and secure a victory against India in the second ODI.
India currently holds a 1-0 lead in the series following a five-wicket win in Auckland on Wednesday. The Black Caps were bundled out for 185 in that encounter, and while rain interrupted the play, India comfortably chased down the revised target of 143. Now, as the teams shift their battle to the Hnry Stadium in Wellington this Saturday, New Zealand is eyeing a series-leveling win.
Focus on Batting and Pressure
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Friday, Tickner emphasized the need for a stronger batting performance. The 33-year-old bowler believes the team can move past the Auckland failure quickly.
"Obviously we'd love to score more runs and put a little bit more pressure on them, but I think we move on pretty fast. We know we're a good side, so we're looking forward to obviously scoring more runs and hopefully getting the win in Wellington," Tickner stated.
Interestingly, Tickner himself provided one of the few highlights for New Zealand in the first game. Coming in at number 11, he smashed 34 runs off just 23 balls, including four towering sixes and a boundary. When asked if he had been practicing his batting, Tickner admitted it was largely spontaneous, noting he had only one hitting session in two weeks before the match.
The Virat Kohli Challenge
A major hurdle for New Zealand remains the scintillating form of Virat Kohli, who hammered 74 runs off 51 balls in the first ODI. Tickner acknowledged the difficulty of bowling to the Indian stalwart but maintained that the New Zealand bowling attack has the skills to dismiss him.
Tickner described the matchup as an "awesome opportunity" but expressed hope that the bowlers could "get one over him" in the upcoming clash.
Wellington Conditions: A Bowler's Dream?
The shift from Eden Park to the Hnry Stadium brings a change in conditions that Tickner hopes will favor the bowlers. He is anticipating more bounce and "nip" off the surface, recalling how the wicket behaved during a match against England last year.
The seamer admitted his preference for a challenging pitch, jokingly adding that he doesn't want to be part of a game involving a 400-run chase.
Adapting to Ground Dimensions
Beyond the pitch, Tickner highlighted the tactical shift required due to the different ground dimensions in Wellington. Unlike Eden Park, Wellington features shorter square boundaries and a longer straight boundary.
According to Tickner, this will specifically influence their "death bowling" strategies, as the team adjusts their plans for the final overs to suit the specific layout of the stadium.
Squad Updates: Injuries and Replacements
New Zealand faces a significant blow with the loss of opener Devon Conway. Conway suffered a concussion during a freak accident when he collided with teammate Matt Henry during a fielding practice session before the first ODI. He has been ruled out for the rest of the series.
In a positive turn, Matt Henry has been cleared of his own concussion and is available for selection. To fill the void left by Conway, Nick Kelly has been called up to the squad after being released from the New Zealand A setup.
Tickner noted that while Conway looked "bruised and battered" initially, he is recovering well from the incident.