Injuries contribute as Kiwis limp out
New Zealand limped out of the ICC World T20 tournament.
Kiwis limped out of the tournament wondering what might have been after a crippling injury list undermined their impressive record in global tournaments.
Having selected an impressive squad full of big-hitters, quality fielders and a varied bowling attack, New Zealand were regarded by many as dark horses for the tournament.
But a long list of injuries hit their batting line-up in particular and they slumped out of the tournament at the Super Eights stage on Tuesday with a 48-run defeat to Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge.
"We've had setbacks and it's been difficult but we've been lucky with a fortunate draw, only winning two games against associate nations and still being in with a chance of the semis," stressed captain Daniel Vettori.
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"But we still had an opportunity to turn up and win the game. We had injuries, but they weren't the reason why we didn't win."
Despite Vettori's determination not to blame injuries for New Zealand's demise, they were hit more than any other side with four players being ruled out at various stages of the event.
Vettori missed the majority of their matches with a shoulder problem, Ross Taylor suffered hamstring trouble, James Franklin struggled with a knee injury and a groin infection ruled out hard-hitting opener Jesse Ryder from the tournament.
Those injuries hit New Zealand's hopes of reaching their fourth successive final in a major tournament having reached the last four of the 2006 Champions Trophy, the 2007 World Cup and the World Twenty20 in the same year.
They also hindered their ability to make bigger totals and against major nations their highest score was 127 for five in the one-run defeat to South Africa during the group stages.
Join us here as well"This group of guys had such high expectations and we had particularly high expectations of our batting order but if you look back on our important games - against South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan - our best score was 127 and in this form of the game that's just not good enough," said Vettori.
"You can sit here and blame our players - and we will be working hard on our reviews - but you have to admire the quality of the bowling that was on display."
Our current debate: India need to take a fresh look at their bowling attack after the ICC World Twenty20 debacle. What are your thoughts? Write in to us at:fanspeak@espnstar.co.in
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