Hunger and intensity missing from Indian play - Wright

Lynn McConnell

December 29, 2002

India have lost the hunger and intensity that was part of their cricket earlier in the year.

Coach John Wright said after today's 35-run loss in the second National Bank Series One-Day International that he was puzzled over what had caused the downturn in performance.

The side had performed consistently over a nine-10 month period but that consistency was lacking at the moment and he had been trying to work out why.

The side today had been inaccurate in its ground fielding which had cost it runs and it hadn't got through its overs in the required time, being penalised two overs in their reply to New Zealand's 254 for nine and also losing 10% of their match fees.

The total had been achievable, he said, but there was a carelessness about their play.

Wright didn't think contractural issues surrounding the side's lead-up to the World Cup back at home had been a factor in the performances.

"Every match is important so there should be no distractions.

"Several players are out of form," he said.

But in good conditions today where the pitch was the same for both teams throughout the game, which was the ideal in one-day cricket, there were no excuses for India not having done better.

"We've got a lot of work to do. We needed one more partnership," he said of the batting which was dominated by Virender Sehwag's 108.

"We are playing against a well-organised side who are bowling straight and full allowing us as little room as possible. We have to move our feet forward to the ball.

"There is still a lot for us to play for," he said.

Wright said in some ways that if the side got through this tour and got their confidence by tour's end it would be good for the World Cup.

"We got a couple of reminders today," he said.

The side had played a lot of cricket this year, but its biggest challenge was just around the corner and there was a lot for the players to look forward to.

"We have to raise the level of our play to levels we can achieve. We had everything in our favour here today," he said.

Wright said he expected the Sachin Tendulkar would play in the next match in Christchurch and he would make a difference, not only with his batting but in the field as well.

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