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We failed to build pressure: Southee

Last Updated 01 September 2012, 17:15 IST

At eighty for four, the Indians were on the backfoot against a fiery New Zealand bowling attack. The Kiwis, however, failed to capitalise on the situation.

Barring the wicket of Suresh Raina soon after tea, New Zealand seemed to have let the Indians off the hook. It would be unjust to say Virat Kohli and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had no part to play but that still does not explain what seemed like lack of intensity from the Kiwis mid-way through day two of the second Test at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.

“No, we’re still creating chances and getting edges,” said Tim Southee, who returned with figures of three for 35 in 15 overs, when asked if his team lacked intensity later on.

“I guess we didn’t build enough pressure through dot balls. But there were still chances with the edges, the ball got a bit old and it wasn’t carrying. I thought we bowled well. It just gets easier as the ball gets older and unfortunately we couldn’t get it to reverse.”

Kruger van Wyk and Doug Bracewell stitched together a crucial partnership at a critical juncture to carry New Zealand to a position of relative comfort at the end of day one.

However, once that partnership was broken – early on day two, the rest of the batting just fell apart.

“We were very unlucky with Doug’s dismissal (run out after backing up too far). He was playing very well and deserved to go on and get a big score. But those things happen.

Yes, 400 would have been nice, but the contribution from the tail was a good effort. The way Kruger batted as well. Start of the day we would have wanted to take a bit more, but it’s runs on the board nonetheless,” Southee opined.

The New Zealanders formed another partnership which troubled India and this time it was Southee and young Trent Boult. Southee may have been the one with the wickets to show for, but Boult was the one who smothered the Indians.

“I’ve played a lot with Trent in age group and domestic cricket. Doug is my mate as well. So it’s good to have both guys here. Was a good spell with the new ball from both of us,” said Southee.

Talking about the team’s chances of pulling off a series levelling win with three days left, Southee said: “It depends on how well we get these last few wickets and how well we bowl with the new ball. It has turned the whole way through and that’ll be a massive part of how well we bat in the second innings. If we put some runs on the board and pick up some wickets tomorrow without too much damage then we’re right in it.

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(Published 01 September 2012, 17:15 IST)

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