New Zealand are not totally devastated despite losing yet another series to Bangladesh as their main focus is on the World Cup 2015 at home, paceman Kyle Mills said on Thursday.
Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by 40 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series and make it six wins in a row against the Black Caps.
‘We are trying to build a team towards the 2015 World Cup,’ Mills told reporters at the post-match press briefing.
‘It is in fifteen months’ time and that’s the most important thing right now. The condition in Australia and New Zealand is going to be lot different from here,’ said Mills.
‘Corey Anderson and James Neesham are going to be prepared for the pressure-cooker environment in the World Cup as we have learned a lot in the past few weeks,’ he added,
Mills denied having any psychological block against the Tigers despite losing their last six ODI matches against them in successive visits.
‘I don’t think it is a mental block whatsoever. We beat South Africa and England recently in their shores,’ said Mills.
‘Bangladesh are a good cricket side in their own conditions,’ he added. ‘Last time was exceptionally disappointing because we had high hopes of doing well. Every time we came here before that series, we won pretty easily,’ said Mills.
‘That last series, Bangladesh stood up, produced wickets that suited their style of play. We came over here expecting a tough challenge, and it has been that way. They have played exceptionally well as a team today,’ he added.
Mills said they lost the series as they failed to build any partnership.
‘We didn’t get off to the greatest starts, lost early wickets. Every time we tried to build a partnership, we lost a wicket,’ he said.
‘Ross Taylor and Corey Anderson and then Brendon McCullum and Taylor got a partnership going but we lost wickets there. It has let us down a little bit.’
Mills added that they are confident of ending the series on a better note.
‘I think we can. We were not too far in the first game but Rubel got three wickets from three balls. Obviously disappointing tonight,’ said Mills.
‘It is a tough challenge here to play in these conditions. We want to end the ODI series on a high. Everyone will be up no doubt.’
-With New Age input
