Indian bowlers went verbally hard at Williamson during Hyderabad Test: Greatbatch

HYDERABAD - New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch has said that Indian bowlers were using sledging as a tactic to unsettle young batsman Kane Williamson during the drawn second Test in Hyderabad.

Fresh from scoring 131 on debut in the Ahmedabad Test, Williamson made his presence felt by scoring a patient 69 and sharing a match saving fifth-wicket partnership of 124 with Brendon McCullum.

“The Indians went hard at him verbally through Harbhajan Singh and (Zaheer) Khan,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Greatbatch, as saying.

“They tried to engage with him, but he just disengaged after every ball and focused on his game, relaxed and went back into the box for the next ball,” he added.

The coach further said that the 20-year-old showed maturity beyond his years to relieve the pressure on McCullum.

“He has a real ability to play his way whatever the situation, whether we are on top or behind the eight ball. He got some stuff early that was proactive with. He got underway quickly and Brendon didn’t have to do too much,” Greatbatch said.

“Kane took it to the opposition and they had to change their strategy,” he added. (ANI)