New Zealand's Jesse Ryder plays a shot against South Africa
during their Twenty20 match in Auckland last night.
REUTERS/Brendon O'Hagan
A former Black Cap says Jesse Ryder cost New Zealand
victory in the third and final Twenty20 match against South
Africa last night after putting himself in front of the team.
The Black Caps lost the Twenty20 decider by three runs at
Eden Park after collapsing from a comfortable position -
needing 17 runs from the final four overs with six wickets in
hand.
Former international Craig McMillan said Ryder's quest for a
single to bring up his third Twenty20 half century, which saw
him go nine balls without scoring, hurt New Zealand's
momentum and is the reason the Black Caps lost.
"I've gone through it last night, the reasons why I thought
we lost, and when you need 16 runs off four overs, which is
24 deliveries, you do it in a canter. You basically get bat
on ball and you win easily,'' McMillan told Radiosport.
"The reason New Zealand lost their momentum in those last
four overs is because Jesse Ryder was trying to get one run
for his 50, it took nine deliveries to get that one run. It's
always dangerous when you put yourself ahead of the team and
I think that's what Jesse Ryder did last night.''
Ryder, who was returning to the New Zealand side after a calf
injury layoff, cruised to 48 from just 27 balls after hitting
two sixes and five fours.
However, he looked to lose his rhythm once he got to 49 and
eventually brought up his half century before giving up a
soft dismissal by attempting a scoop shot which lofted
straight into the hands of short fine leg.
McMillan said while other New Zealand batsmen had chances to
win the match, the defeat falls squarely Ryder's shoulders.
"Yes the others had opportunities to win the game in terms of
Franklin, Southee, Bracewell, Nathan McCullum will all be
disappointed they didn't bring New Zealand home. But the
reason that New Zealand were put in that position last night
was because of Jesse Ryder's selfishness in trying to get to
50,'' McMillan added.
"He changed the way he was batting. As soon as he got to 49
he took nine balls trying to get a single. He actually took
about six trying to get a single and then he hit the fielder
and thought `Well I better hit one out of the park because
this just isn't working for me'. There was a couple of swings
and misses and all of a sudden New Zealand are under pressure
where they need seven off the last over.''
"This defeat falls squarely on his shoulders and he has to
wear it.''
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum last night admitted his
side blew a chance to claim the 2-1 series victory.
"When you look at where we were in the game and where we
ended up, I guess we faltered,'' McCullum said, not calling
it a choke, but not actually denying it either.
"We came under pressure and didn't measure up. Use whatever
words you want but we didn't get the job done. It's bitterly
disappointing.''
McCullum did not point the finger at a "distraught'' Ryder
for the tumble - others could have finished the task, he
said.
- Herald online/additional reporting David Leggat
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