Dean Jones frustrated by New Zealand’s performance; gives advice on how to beat India

The New Zealand team suffered their second defeat in two T20I matches at the hands of the Indian team in the ongoing five-match series. Both of the said matches were played in Eden Park, Auckland and were of contrasting natures. The first match saw India chasing down the 204-run target, while in the 2nd match, New Zealand barely crossed the 130-run mark.

Indian bowlers had complete control of the match as New Zealand batsmen struggled to get runs smoothly on a sluggish pitch which played opposite to the other game. Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah employed the short ball to their advantage and though 48 runs were added by Guptill and Munro for the first wicket, the middle overs yielded no big overs as Jadeja and Chahal kept things quiet, as Black Caps managed just 132 runs for the loss of 5 wickets.

In reply, Rohit (8) and Kohli (11) fell early to Southee, but Rahul continued his good form to make 57* and Iyer picked up from where he left off in the first match and slammed 44 with 3 sixes to his name, as Shivam Dube hit a six to finish this T20I match as well. The performance of the Kane Williamson led side was so sad that even Australian Dean Jones tweeted some suggestion for the Kiwis to get better.

“Get Kane going,” urges Dean Jones in his suggestions

During the New Zealand innings, Kane Williamson got stuck while tackling the spinners and managed just 14 runs off 20 balls and veteran Ross Taylor too found it hard to get the Indian bowlers away, as he too managed just 18 off 24 balls. If it hadn’t been for Seifert’s 33* off 26 balls, New Zealand may have struggled to reach the total they did.

Ravindra Jadeja has picked three wickets in two matches but has only given runs at an economy of 6.00, while Chahal has also managed to keep runs down.  Jones also wanted the Kane Williamson-led side to employ a left-hander in the middle order to counter the left-arm spin of Jadeja and leg-spinner Chahal, who turn the ball into the lefthanders. He wasn’t happy with the fielding as well and urged them to get things right before the 29th January T20I in Hamilton.

Dean Jones took to Twitter and shared the tips for the Kiwis to get better. “First job @BLACKCAPS need to do is to find a left-hander in the middle to combat Jadeja and Chahal.. 2nd thing.. get Kane firing… 3rd thing.. improve their fielding… 4th… #selectdugout @StarSportsIndia #NZvsIND,” he tweeted.