Colombo: New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said on Monday he was not fully satisfied with his team's performance despite crushing Bangladesh by 167 runs in the Champions Trophy cricket tournament here. "The win was convincing statistically, but not in all areas," said Fleming after leading his side to a big victory in an inconsequential match at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground. "Our batting was tentative (against Bangladesh)," said the New Zealand captain. "Our One-day batting is like that, starting with me. It is reluctant to kick on and get a big score. We are getting partnerships of 60s or 70s only and creating a lot of pressure on guys down the order." The highest stand in the New Zealand innings was of 66 for the second wicket between Matthew Sinclair (70) and Fleming (31). Scott Styris (26) and Chris Harris (26) also could not cash in on good starts. "We have to convert 30s or 40s into big scores. Other teams have guys in the top order getting 100s. It helps in chasing or setting targets," said Fleming.
The New Zealand captain conceded his team's performance in a crucial game against Australia was much below the mark. "We are disappointed with the Australian game," he said. "We were not really there in that game. It was a tough game against Australia first up. We wanted to play well, and could not do it this time. "You have got to absorb pressure. If you don't absorb pressure, you are not going to be there in the game. They have the ability to apply pressure in batting and bowling. "You have got to be on song from the first ball. If you go behind, it is very hard to catch up with them. The key to success against them is to be in the game and competing." Fleming said the victory would help his team on next year's tour of Sri Lanka. "We have finished on a much better note," he said. "The bowling and catching were very good today. We have been working out a few things, like playing spinners, and getting used to the conditions. "When we come back here next year, we will be better prepared." Bangladeshi captain Khaled Mashud said he hoped his team had learnt a lot ahead of the upcoming tour of South Africa. "It's a learning experience for us, but we have to show a lot more steel while competing at the highest level. We bowled well, but batted badly," said Mashud, whose team leaves for South Africa on Tuesday to play two Tests and three One-dayers.
Extras:
Bond blasts Bangla, New Zealand wins by 167 runs
Streak hospitalised with shoulder fracture in mishap
Tags: icc 2002, icc champions trophy, india, new zealand, premadasa, sri lanka, pakistan, australia, england, bangladesh, , zimbabwe, kenya, netherlands, west indies, south africa, semi final, finals, scorecards, statistics, ground.
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