http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LRPL-Taylor-c1849 upbeat about upcoming Test series against Windies – Cricket News Update
Despite a 0-2 loss in the T20 leg of their tour of the United States and the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 skipper Ross Taylor remained upbeat about the team’s chances in the approaching Test series.
"We've got three or four new guys that have come in that will bring a new energy to the team," http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 said in reference to the test squad. "We've got a warm-up game as well, which I'm sure will be a big help on what will be the playing wicket for the test
match."
The limited-overs leg of the tour saw the Kiwis helpless in the face of the West Indies, who maintained a dominant position throughout. The T20 series culminated in a 0-2 defeat for the tourists, and the 5-match ODI series that followed resulted in a similar
fate. Following their 1-4 defeat, reasons behind their poor performances were probed.
Lack of match practice was cited as a key factor, with New Zealand Cricket’s http://www.senore.com/Cricket/John-Marshall-Buchanan-c68302 (Director of Cricket) admitting that the Kiwis were underdone, having regrouped for the Caribbean series following a prolonged break, after playing their last international
series in March this year.
In addition to being undercooked, the Black Caps were also missing key players – batsmen such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JD-Ryder-c1679 were absent from their ranks, and skipper Ross Taylor sustained a shoulder strain during the first T20I in Florida.
However, the new, experienced additions to the Test squad provide the Kiwis a ray of hope, and suggest that the Test series might enable them to humble their hosts.
While Tom Latham, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DL-Vettori-c1384 (who has featured in 111 Tests, with 359 wickets to his credit) and Chris
Martin (68 Tests with 226 scalps).
Experienced first-class wicketkeeper batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BJ-Watling-c1172, who suffered a quad strain during the ODIs, will also be rejoining the team.
In addition to the experienced cricketers who will be enhancing the squad, the Black Caps will also have the chance to grow accustomed to the pitch and receive match practice in the form of a warm-up game, due to be played against the West Indies Cricket
Board President's XI at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua from July 20 to 22, after which the first Test will be played, at the same venue, from July 25 to 29.
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