New Zealand’s stand-in skipper Tom Latham is banking on fresh faces to turn around the fortunes of his injury-hit side against a seemingly invincible India in the ODI series.
Latham said the Black Caps, playing their first ODI since World Cup final, are hopeful of bouncing back.
“We have played India a lot over the last couple of years. So, there shouldn’t be too many surprises...For us it is about trying to focus on the series,” he said.
New Zealand are battling an injury crisis, which includes regular skipper Kane Williamson. The Black Caps will, however, be rejuvenated by the inclusion of all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme in the ODI squad.
“The T20 results were disappointing for the T20 side. (But) It is nice that a slightly new group has come in for this one-day team, a few new faces and a different format,” he said.
“So it is important that we don’t try and reinvent the wheel to try and change our style of play...Obviously it is hard but as I said there is a new group now. Fresh faces in a different format, which will pose challenges in a different way.
“So, fingers crossed and we can switch into One-day mode and start getting those results,” he added.
Talking about reversing the results after the T20 whitewash, Latham said, “Winning can be a habit. Unfortunately we have been on the wrong side of those results, which has been disappointing.”
“As I have said earlier, it is a different format, which is probably refreshing for the guys. There are new faces, who were not involved in the T20 series. We have been in those positions in the T20 series to win the game. Now we can start winning and going across the line,” he signed off.