‘We couldn’t apply pressure long enough’ - Tim Southee reflects following New Zealand's loss to Bangladesh

Following an incredible bowling performance in the fourth innings, Bangladesh pulled off a historic win over New Zealand in the first Test of the series. They were on top of the Tim Southee-led side for the majority part of the match as the Kiwis failed to build partnerships in the middle. Taijul Islam was incredible in both innings, which helped the Bangla Tigers win the match by 160 runs.

Reflecting on the loss, Southee mentioned that the team failed to apply pressure for a long time and that’s where they lost the match. Bangladesh bowlers were brilliant with the line and length and in a condition which is alien to most of the batters, New Zealand failed to make a mark. Southee also gave credit to skipper Najmul Shanto, who managed to hit a century in the second innings while Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz played good knocks to help the team post 338 runs in the second innings.

“You look at the way that the Bangladesh bowlers were able to apply pressure for a long period of time. I think we did it in periods, but we probably didn't do it for long enough. You are always looking at partnerships as a batting unit. I think Shanto played a great innings. It was obviously a very timely one as well, given the situation of the game. 

“I think the Bangladesh bowlers bowled well, and very accurate, and in the way they bowl and the style they bowl, we know that in this part of the world, it tends to get harder to bat as the Test moves on. It tends to take a little bit more turn and a little bit more variable bounce. You just need a couple of partnerships,” Southee was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Southee also defended his players following the loss and expects to learn from it and perform better in the last and final Test, which is slated to begin on December 6. He also added that tiredness of playing in the ODI World Cup wasn’t a factor as a lot of new players have joined in.