'We had our opportunities' - Kane Williamson rues missing out on chances after suffering whitewash

England clean swept New Zealand 3-0 in the recently-concluded Test series after recording an emphatic victory in the third Test at Headingley on Monday, June 27. The hosts eased past New Zealand’s target of 296 in just 54.2 overs with their ultra-attacking batting. Meanwhile, Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson has praised the English batters for their approach and labeled it a great series.

The game was delayed due to a prolonged shower on the final day and when the game resumed after an early lunch, Ollie Pope was dismissed in the very first over by Tim Southee. The New Zealanders would’ve hoped for some more breakthroughs, but they didn’t come as Jonny Bairstow brought out his T20 game to the fore, scoring 71 off just 44 deliveries, while Joe Root played his natural game at the other end.

The English batters embodied coach Brendon McCullum’s approach as they were positive with the bat and chose to score runs rather than die wondering at the crease. To win a match from 55/6 in the first innings shows their mentality and the Kiwi skipper praised the hosts for this attitude.

Kane Williamson credits the England team for their approach

“It’s been an incredible series. In all three matches, we had our opportunities, and we were ahead of the game at times in each one but credit to England, they chose to counter-attack when they were under pressure and they did it well, especially in this match,” Williamson said to the press after the third Test.

Although the scoreline reads 3-0, the New Zealanders had their moments in the series. The dropped catches of Joe Root and Ollie Pope in the Trent Bridge Test, Ben Stokes being dismissed on a no-ball, New Zealand’s failure to take a review in the first innings when Jamie Overton was just five runs into his 97. The biggest positive for the visitors in the series would be the performances of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell, who brought out their A-game in the series.

“It is frustrating to lose the series but there were a lot of positives. There is a new theme to England’s approach, and they did it extremely well. It was a highly competitive series, but they won those fine margins and those moments that changed the outcome of the matches,” the Kiwi skipper added.