A spinner has to be smart to deliver in ODI games in the conditions here, says off-spinning all-rounder R. Ashwin.
“It is not easy. The batsmen are looking for boundaries all the time. If you attack more, you could go for 20-30 runs extra. Your role changes away from home,” he said here on Monday.
Ashwin added, “The new field restrictions (a team is allowed only four fielders outside the circle even during the non-Power Play overs) have not helped us. The odds are stacked against a spinner and the grounds are small here. You cannot fight against the conditions. You need to analyse the situation.”
The 27-year-old Ashwin revealed he did not allow the three-ODI wicketless run — before he scalped Corey Anderson in Auckland — to bother him.
Frame of mind “This is the best frame of mind I have been in. I have locked away my mind from all that is happening around me. I have spoken to the captain, the coach and a few close friends. It has really helped,” Ashwin said.
On his promotion in the batting order in the third ODI he said, “I got more overs and time to build an innings. I have always backed myself as a batsman. Actually, I play the same way in Tests and ODIs. I am looking to score runs all the time.”
On the rather massive crowd support for the team by the Indian fans here, Ashwin said, “We have got used to this now.In the Champions Trophy final in England, Indian supporters outnumbered English fans.” New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi said the Kiwi bowlers needed to pick themselves up. “Most of the grounds in New Zealand are small. You need to be precise when you bowl.”
Ronchi has sparkled with his cameos down the order in this series. “I am in a good frame of mind with the bat. The series against the West Indies made me feel more comfortable.”
Queried about the Kiwi gameplan, Ronchi said, “Batting through the middle, we have hitters in the end. Anderson is in some form.”
Ronchi said there was a keen competition for places in the side. “Everyone is pushing the other. That lifts the standard.”
He felt the tie in the previous game was a fair result. “Both sides played some good cricket. Both sides also played cricket they would not remember for long.”
