Under Coach Wright, Black Caps get into winning habit at last
By ANIMonday, December 27, 2010
AUCKLAND - New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee’s hattrick helped his team register a victory against Pakistan in Sunday’s Twenty20 international.
New Zealand beat Pakistan by five wickets with 17 balls to spare in yesterday’s Twenty20 series opener in Auckland. Not since August had New Zealand ticked the ‘W’ column, in Sri Lanka, 11 one-day internationals and three tests ago, stuff.nz.com reports.
Coach John Wright only met his players on Christmas afternoon and the mantra he instilled was “play as a team”, captain Ross Taylor said.
On the pitch, New Zealand needed a spark and Tim Southee provided it.
The young medium-fast bowler with a knack for making things happen snared just the third hat-trick in Twenty20 international cricket.
A remarkable five wickets in eight deliveries crippled Pakistan’s innings of 143-9 and gave Southee figures of 5-18, the best return by a New Zealand T20 bowler.
His hat-trick came amid controversy when home umpire Barry Frost adjudged Umar Akmal lbw. Replays showed a big inside edge as Akmal departed shaking his head.
Taylor said: “Pakistan were getting away on us and the way Timmy led the attack was outstanding. To get a hat-trick, with three very good players, the momentum shift went in our direction.” (ANI)
