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Losing one close game does not mean New Zealand are a poor side. Losing a fourth Test out of seven since becoming world Test champions, though? Two losses in one home summer, after just one loss in the previous five?
Those results in some part are a result of a period that has acquired a transitory feel. The retirements of Ross Taylor and BJ Watling, as well as the injury-enforced absence – and then underwhelming return – of Kane Williamson have all had a hand in disrupting what has been, for years, a pretty tight batting unit.
“It’s not just that game or those series,” Jamieson said recalling last year’s summer in England when New Zealand won the bilateral series as well as the WTC final. “This team has done such a good job over a long period of time, we’re not going to panic after just one game.
“We certainly know there were moments in that game we could’ve seized and been better in. We know if we do that it will go a long way in trying to win this game and this series.”
“He certainly batted pretty well,” Jamieson said. “He was probably the difference in the game in the end. We’ll certainly go away and make some plans. We’ve already had some conversations about how we want to attack him but also attack the rest of the batting as well. It’s not about focusing on just him, you know, we’ll try and take 10 wickets, take 20 wickets, we’ll just go about trying to do that.”
Jamieson’s six wickets at Lord’s continued a sterling start to his career, cemented by a rise to third place in the ICC’s Test bowlers’ rankings. He’s now the highest-ranking of four New Zealand fast bowlers in the top 13. Not that it matters much.
“No, not a huge amount to be honest,” he said. “I’m just trying to learn and grow as a cricketer and whatever those numbers spit out, they do. I’m just happy to be part of the side. Trying to play my part and just win Tests for this team. I think for me that’s the main driver, the main focus and whatever that ends up as, it does.
“I’m reasonably realistic about where I am with my game. I don’t necessarily think that numbers always give you the correct indication of where you’re at, at a certain point in time. I’m just trying to grow, trying to get better, trying to improve my game, contribute to wins for the side. Those rankings will come out as they do.”
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