How to tame spin is the Kiwi challenge, says coach Hesson

The two-pronged spin attack of India had the better of the three-pronged spin of New Zealand and the visitors’ coach Mike Hesson is not amused. 

“The reality is you are going to have balls with your name on it because the spin is so extreme and at times it happens so quickly,” Hesson said ahead of the match at the famous Eden Gardens ground. “It is not slow spin, it is extreme and quick, so you will get a ball that will get you out, you have to accept that. It is making sure that the percentages are in your favour. A lot of guys did that really well.” 

Captain Kane Williamson and Tom Latham and middle-order pair Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner in both innings handled spin effectively. 

But sadly for the Kiwis, most of them were not able to do it for long enough as a team to prevent India coming from behind at the end of day two to crush New Zealand on the back of Ashwin and Jadeja’s brilliance. “It is very much getting starts. The first 10 balls here are the hardest and if you can get going and get in then it gets easier. That’s what our focus on, is that we have a clear plan about how we are going to get a start,” Hesson said. 

If the Kiwi assesment of the pitch resulted in three becoming two spinners, Doug Bracewell and Matt Henry would come into the fold as a third seamer and a lower order batsman.