Southee lauds ‘world class’ Williamson, Mitchell after thrilling win

New Zealand’s lower-order hitting within the first innings, and their rallying with the ball late on day 4 have been essential moments within the first Test in opposition to Sri Lanka. This was what their captain Tim Southee felt, after his group had pulled off a last-ball victory at Hagley Oval – the hosts scrambling to a goal of 285 with two wickets to spare.
Oh, plus Daryl Mitchell’s innings – each within the first dig, the place he held New Zealand collectively along with his 102, and within the second, when he hit 81, forging a 142-run fourth-wicket partnership with Kane Williamson. In the primary innings, Southee hit 25, Matt Henry crashed 72, and Neil Wagner made 27, when New Zealand had appeared like they’d find yourself with a severe first-innings deficit.

“Daryl’s first innings was a was a massive turning point and it sort of got us back in,” Southee mentioned after the match. “And any time the lower order is able to contribute is massive, and it sort of got us into the lead.

“We have been capable of eke out runs there, after which on day 4, after we have been capable of bowl them out rapidly and now give them a place after they have been capable of declare and dictate what number of runs they wished – there’s a few moments there the place you look again on as most likely turning factors within the recreation.”

On Williamson, who shepherded the chase, hit a spectacular final boundary through point, and got New Zealand to their target, Southee had this to say: “He’s only a world-class participant, and world-class gamers are capable of carry out in several circumstances and totally different conditions. Even when he was younger, he was the man you leaned on.

“We saw his class even with that last boundary, when he beat two fielders to the big side of the ground. Just the calmness with which he does it is good for the group. Seeing how calm he is in the middle keeps us all calm as well.”

Southee believed being relaxed even in tense conditions was one thing New Zealand prided themselves on.

“It’s just about trying to keep calm. When you’ve got one of our best players out there, that helps as well. We’ve seen it in the last two Tests, and in Pakistan as well. It’s a changing group, but the belief in the guys that that have come in… we’ve had a couple of bad days but being able to bounce back and know that someone’s going to put their hand up – that’s a sign of a good side.”

Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com

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