Our culture is going to new levels, we're confident in each other: Mitchell McClenaghan

New Zealand made it two victories in as many games after they managed to strangle Australia in the chase and successfully defend 143 runs by a margin of 8 runs. The man who played a vital role in the winning effort was Mitchell McClenaghan, picking figures of 3/17 in three overs spell to make things easier for the Blackcaps.

Speaking at the press conference after bagging the Man of the Match award, McClenaghan explained that early assessment of the situation was the key to their win last night.

“It was pretty early,” McClenaghan said of the change in the mindset. “I walked over after [Shane] Watson’s second over or halfway through the first. We were thinking about and talking… early into the game you have got to assess these kind of things. Walked over to Timmy [Southee] and Boulty [Trent] and Nath [McCullum] and kind of picked their brain. We basically, early, probably three overs into the game, realised it was not a yorker wicket. It was really hard to time off back of a length and cutters and change-ups. Every time someone went on pace they got pumped. That assessment was made pretty early.”

The team is going through a small transition period after the retirement of Brendon McCullum. But, the transition phase has not hindered with the team growth, feels McClenaghan.

“We’re just growing as a team. Our culture is going to new levels, we’re confident in each other, and confident in our own games. We’ve left guys like Matt Henry at home who’s arguably been our best bowler this year, “said McClenaghan at the post-game media conference, referring to the smooth transition from the captaincy of Brendon McCullum to Kane Williamson.

“We just know we’ve got a squad, we’ve got the depth and we trust each other. So to leave people out like that kind of says a lot for where we’re going as New Zealand cricket.”

Australia was off to a blazing start. But, it was the spinners (Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi), who yet again played an important role in bringing back the Kiwis back in the game.

“Aussie got off to a fantastic start and looked unstoppable, but when the field goes out you can build up dots and pressure and our spinners did really well in the middle to do that and bring the game back.”

“You’ve seen Mitch Santner and Ish Sodhi, and Nath [McCullum] in the first game, who can pull back a game if people get off to a good start. Today we saw that it was easier for us to score with the new ball and once the field went out it was really hard to time.

“We got the benefit of watching how Australia bowled on that wicket, and thankfully we executed and the guys fielded exceptionally well as well.

The Blackcaps have perhaps made it very easier for them to reach the semi-finals. Kane Williamson hasn’t taken much long to impress everyone with his tactical capabilities and it would be interesting to see how their journey goes ahead from here on.