New Zealand’s top order-batter Devon Conway said the three-match T20I series against the West Indies is an opportunity for the think tank to use different combinations and stages as they move toward the T20 World Cup to be held in Australia later this year.
New Zealand’s top order-batter Devon Conway said the three-match T20I series against the West Indies is an opportunity for the think tank to use different combinations and stages as they move toward the T20 World Cup to be held in Australia later this year.
New Zealand, who have picked a full-strength squad for the series, began the right note with a 13-run win over the home side in Jamaica.
“I wouldn’t say we have set roles as of yet,”
Conway said.
“This is a great opportunity to try different combinations. It’s nice that everyone is back though. It will provide good opportunities for guys to experience different roles. Whatever they may be in the future of this series, we don’t know, but it’s exciting for us to just try different combinations and work through different roles,”
he added.
Conway made a crucial contribution to his side’s triumph. As it turns out, this was the Southpaw’s first T20I since the T20 World Cup last year. However, he was in fine form in the IPL 2022, where he aggregated 252 runs at a strike rate of 145.66.
The opener highlighted that New Zealand has the necessary strength top to bottom in their batting unit and commended their captain Kane Williamson for his flexibility as a player.
“We’ve got some really powerful and skillful players. If you look at the likes of Kane, he may not be as explosive or powerful as Neesham but can strike at 150 on his day – even at 200 for that matter. He just brings a different skillet to the team. We have quite a lengthy group of batters eager to put their hat in the ring, and this series will provide the opportunity for quite a lot of players to take responsibility for any of the roles they’re given.
“It was really good to be back out there again. I’ve had three weeks break from the group, so it was refreshing to see everyone again. It was just good to be out in the middle. Obviously, everyone’s excited to go out there and play. It was a really good day at the office.”
Conway was satisfied with how New Zealand’s bowlers held their nerve when Romario Shepherd and Odean Smith attempted to diagram a rebound with a rankling 58-run stand in only 26 balls for the eighth wicket.
“Our spin attack is exciting. We’ve got Santner turning it away from the batters, [Ish] Sodhi has more mystery. We know Santner can bowl in the first six [overs], and that provides an option for us to hold a seamer back for a little longer and bowl at the death. Our bowling attack covers most bases. We’ve got guys swinging it away from the right-handers, a left-hander swinging it in, [and] resources like Neesham and Daryl Mitchell who can take pace off. Someone like Matt Henry is on the fringes, ready to get an opportunity. It’s certainly exciting for our bowling unit to have the resources we have.
“Lot of credit to their batters for the way they batted, there was some remarkable hitting from a couple of the guys towards the end. It was quite cool to experience close-up of the depth and power they have. Naturally, if you have a team six or seven down, you think there’s not a lot to come, but this group they have is explosive and they keep coming hard. It was about seeing the game off whenever you could and not giving them an opportunity at the back end even if you’re ahead. We did that today,”
he said.
