"Tough to take that defeat" - Jos Buttler after the defeat to New Zealand

New Zealand registered a thumping 9-wicket win over England in the campaign opener of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl. The bowlers did exceptionally well and restricted the England team to 282 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. While everyone contributed well, Joe Root top-scored with 77 as well. Matt Henry picked up 3 for 48.

While chasing, Will Young got out on a duck. However, Devon Conway (152*) and Rachin Ravindra (123*) steadied the ship, adding 273 runs and sealing the deal for their side. They chased down the total in 36.2 overs as well.

Who said what after the match?

Tom Latham: “It’s a fantastic performance. Fantastic partnership between Rachin and Devon, but it was set up at the start. Fantastic effort with the ball to restrict them to 280 on that surface, it was a total below par. Credit goes to our bowlers for that effort. Been a pretty good build-up since the warm-up games. We have played in these conditions in the last year or so, that is really important.”

He continued, “The likes of two seamers (Henry and Boult) did a good job on top. We knew they (England openers) were going to come hard at us. Knew they would keep coming hard at us throughout the innings. We got wickets at crucial times, guys chipped in with some crucial overs and did well to restrict them to 280 odd from the situation they were in, that was outstanding.”

“Our batters played, they played some outstanding shots, that was the most pleasing. The shots they played was fantastic, they reacted to what was bowled at them, certainly that wasn’t the plan when they went out to play. Both must have felt really good when they played shots. He (Ravindra) played a fantastic innings and super proud of the way he has come out and played his best innings at that position,” he stated.

“The two guys played exceptionally well, fantastic partnership and we all were beaten” – Jos Buttler on Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra

Jos Buttler: “Disappointing day, outplayed by New Zealand, tough to take that defeat. One loss, still a long tournament. Lot of guys in our team have played a lot of cricket. We have beaten teams this way before and we have been at the end of such results before. I thought we were well below par, not judging by the way New Zealand batted, because we were aiming for somewhere around 330. It was a good wicket to bat and I think it got even better in the second innings. Tough to build any pressure with the start they got. We lacked being clinical with our executions. Some of those dismissals, the right shots weren’t quite executed.”

“We will keep it positive, we’ll keep playing our way, can’t be too defensive but we weren’t clinical in shot selection and execution. I think they played some really good shots and got value for it. Margin for error was very less on that pitch. Someone like Conway, he didn’t play any massive shots, but he scored very quickly. Same is the case with Rachin Ravindra. The two guys played exceptionally well, fantastic partnership and we all were beaten. Skidded on even better under lights, that’s why we wanted to bowl as well. I thought he is back to his old self. Don’t think there is any question about Joe. He’s a run-maker in any format he plays. We will wait and see. He is working hard with the physio,” he again shared.

Rachin Ravindra, who won the Player of The Match, said: “Great to have a great day. Boys bowled and fielded well to restrict them to 280. Luckily I had Devon out there to show me how to do it. (I am) Very very close with Devon. Special to finish it off with him. 4-5 years ago, we all knew Devon would become the player he is. Above all he’s a great guy. It was yesterday (because of) the thing (niggle) with Lockie (when did he know he’ll bat at three?). Good to get the opportunity. We’ll see what happens. I’m actually quite a good sleeper luckily. There was some swing, but the surface was really good to bat on.”