Devon Conway spills a catch during the Black Caps' first cricket test against England at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, Nov 29, 2024. Photo: Photosport
Black Cap Daryl Mitchell says he has faith they will reverse their catching woes and ''take some screamers'' in the second test against England in Wellington.
The New Zealanders had a shocker in their first test loss at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, shelling eight chances in England's first innings, including top scorer Harry Brook five times in his 171.
"We are obviously disappointed with last week,'' Mitchell told reporters at the Basin Reserve.
"Fielding is something we do pride ourselves on and we will keep trying to make sure we throw ourselves around and do everything we can to try to take those catches and hopefully they stick this test," he said.
"We won't go about doing more catching because of the result that happened. We'll make sure we prepare the way we do, it's something we pride ourselves on, and we'll tick those boxes ...and we will be ready to go for this test match.''
Mitchell said he was unaware of statistics compiled by the cricket.com website that show New Zealand's catching rate in tests this year is the worst of test playing nations bar Bangladesh. The Black Caps have spilled 35 of their 139 chances, a success rate of 74.8 per cent, compared with Bangladesh's 73.70 per cent.
"It's the game of cricket. I'm sure we have all dropped catches at times throughout our career. It's not done on purpose, I have full faith in everyone who is in the squad can go out there and throw themselves around and take some screamers.''
Daryl Mitchell drives on the third day of the first cricket test between New Zealand and England at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Nov 30, 2024. Photo: Photosport
Mitchell topscored in New Zealand's second innings in Christchurch with 84. He is fifth on the world test batting rankings, two places behind team-mate Kane Williamson, who scored 93 and 61 in Christchurch.
Mitchell has a great record playing England, notching three centuries and averaging 70 against them.
He said he was looking forward to playing at the "iconic" Basin Reserve, the scene [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/485014/black-caps-take-historic-win-over-england-at-basin-reserve of New Zealand's dramatic one-run victory over England in February last year.
"For us as Black Caps we love playing at the Basin. To hear that it is pretty much sold out across the days it's pretty cool, and then you add the Barmy Army as well it will be an amazing experience.''
"We know traditionally it's got good bounce and good pace, the weather plays a factor here with the wind, so it's just adapting on the fly with that."
The Black Caps' chances making the World Test Championship final suffered a blow in Christchurch, not only with the loss but also with a points deduction and fine for slow over rates that saw them drop from fourth to fifth in the world rankings.
"We have spoken as a group and we will find ways to get through it as quick as we can and control what we can control around the over rates.
"I know what my role is at first slip, and the slip is in the key position of trying to get the boys buzzing between overs."
As for the World Test Championship situation, Mitchell said their focus would be on winning the Wellington test.
"I think we know with test cricket how hard it is to win every single test, so you don't want to look too far ahead. For us it is making sure we control being out here at the Basin this week and try and win this test match and hopefully it keeps flowing on from there."
