One of the major downsides of the Blackcaps’ opening Test defeat to Sri Lanka was Devon Conway’s subsequent painful performance for the Whites. The opener never looked comfortable at the Galle crease, making 59 off 17 balls in the first innings and conceding four runs in the second innings. Conway has scored a total of 115 innings at an average of 11.5, including a highest score of 29 in his last 10 innings since November 2023. He has not taken a triple wicket since January 2023 (in Karachi, Pakistan). It was a surprise for Conway, who went into the 2021 Test match against England and has quickly become one of the most promising new batsmen on the international scene. He was ranked as one of the top five cricketers of 2022 by Wisden.
According to former Blackcaps coach Mike Hesson, there are certain skill areas where Conway has performed unusually poorly, which he attributes in large part to the 33-year-old’s struggles. “I’m not confident in the way he’s hitting the ball,” Conway told SENZ’s Scotty & Izzy. “He has struggled in the last five Tests. It’s very hard to hide him as the best player. So this isn’t just a short-term problem, it’s starting to affect other parts of the game. “When he’s a little nervous about the game, if he holds the bat a little tighter, he’s going to end up playing balls in front of him that he hasn’t played before. “This really tests your sword control and you will often see the sword closed or almost closed when you strike.
“He truly invests time and fighting for confidence and becomes worse and worse. “As far as I know, I need a good idea to know it, but I have to spend time with someone and force it again.” During a short test, it can be seen as a catalyst for adjusting that requires a short period of time, for a short period of time, for a short period of time. Hesson thinks the solution could be simple. “It’s a repeat of when he played well,” he said. “He is a very good player. He did it all over the world and in every situation. So you have to look back and say, “Hey, what were the qualities and what were the points when you did that.” had? Then you can make adjustments based on how you hit the ball and where you get it from.
“But it’s mostly a mental thing and something he does to relive the good times. If he starts doing that, getting that feeling back, obviously his ball skills will improve as well.” With the second Test starting on Thursday, Conway could find his position under threat, with coach Gary Steed waiting in the wings with Will Young as another option to lean on. Seamer Tim Southee’s recent performances have been the talk of the town, with suggestions that his role as captain will secure his place in the playing XI. The veteran ended the Test against Sri Lanka with his only wicket in 30 overs at the cost of 87 runs. However, Hesson does not believe Stead will make a wholesale change after conceding 63 runs to a large number of right-handers and is quick to highlight Southee’s bowling contribution along with Will O’Rourke, who closed the match with eight wickets, including a five. of Sri pointed out. Lanka’s first innings.
“Honestly, I don’t think much will change and I don’t think it needs to,” Hesson admitted. “Will O’Rourke is outstanding in terms of speed and bounce, probably the right angle. They really fight. “Tim Southsea did a job of holding if you don’t have someone at the other end to lead the innings, you can’t let Will O’Rourke come in and bat. “I’m not sure if they’ll pick a rookie like Matt Henry to compliment O’Rourke, but I know they’ll appreciate the opportunity to run the game with the old ball. It was the same with Southey.”
