Batsmen should take inspiration from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972: John Wright
New Zealand coach John Wright urged his side to take inspiration from Pakistan’s man of the tour, Misbah-ul-Haq ahead of Thursday’s fifth One-day International at Hamilton.
“His (Misbah) was exactly the type of innings we need,” Wright said on Wednesday saying that the staggering top-order needs to perform as they failed to score runs even on a batting-friendly track.
The Test captain served as the backbone for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s successful run chase at Napier in the fourth ODI against the Black Caps. He smashed seven boundaries and a six to finish unbeaten at 93 off 91 balls.
He formed a brilliant partnership with veteran batsman Younis Khan and the pair played risk-free cricket. Misbah kept his nerves in check as he steered Pakistan home to lead the series 2-1.
Wright admired Misbah’s innings throughout the tour, comparing his batting to that of glue. The coach hoped that his players’ would learn from Misbah and try to revive their battling slump.
“I think throughout his series he’s been their glue, and we probably need some glue,” the coach stated.
New Zealand have been suffering from a regular top-order collapse, while the late middle-order steadies them on most occasions.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 Cricket is following a “rotation policy” throughout the six-match series, giving the 15-man World Cup squad a chance to gel well together in the middle-order.
Wright pointed out the difference between the two sides, saying that Pakistan’s success in the series has been their ‘responsible’ middle-order with Younis Khan, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 along with Misbah giving significant performances.
He also hailed opener Mohammad Hafeez’s efforts in the third ODI as he reached his maiden century on Saturday, adding that New Zealand also need individual performances to win the last two games of the series.
“If we get two batsmen playing significant innings then everything is going to flow,” Wright conceded.
While the rotation policy is lamented by former Black Caps’ players, the coach added that if it were not for the policy then the middle-order would have never supported the team to reach 262 at Napier.
“They’ve been through a tough time but we’ve just got to show some faith and confidence,” Wright stated.
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