No impact of T20Is loss on ODI unit: Nicholls

Auckland, February 6

Advertisement

New Zealand batsman Henry Nicholls said the ODI team did not carry the baggage of the T20 side which was blanked by India and that reflected in their highest run-chase in ODI cricket. Riding on Ross Taylor’s 21st hundred, the hosts chased down their highest total in ODIs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second ODI will be played in Auckland on Saturday.

“We did not feel it as part of the group coming in. So, I wasn’t feeling any pressure and there is no need to prove anything. It was a small ground and a big chase, so it was nice we were able to do that,” Nicholls said. “It was great, our biggest chase ever in ODI cricket and it was good to be able to contribute in it. In the past, playing India in India, we have had a couple of chases around the 300-mark and others we got close to. It was nice to do that again at home, and to actually win the game, it was great,” he added.

Shorter boundary

Seddon Park’s dimensions came into sharp focus as a shorter boundary on one side helped in run-scoring. The second ODI will be played at Eden Park which has even shorter boundaries. “The short boundary proved to be really important for us. There was some breeze as well in the evening,” said Nicholls. “So, whenever they bowled through the middle, or bowled short, we pushed them back with boundaries. Their attacking bowlers could not bowl with the bigger boundary and it played into our hands.” — PTI