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New Zealand's Tarun Nethula - Source: Photosport -
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A stirring pep talk by Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum inspired legspinner Tarun Nethula to stamp his mark against Zimbabwe in the third and final one-day international against Zimbabwe in Napier last night.
After conceding 55 runs and failing to take a wicket in his debut match in Whangaeri on Monday, Nethula bounced back with 2/41 off ten overs last night as New Zealand hammered the tourists by 202 runs to wrap up the series 3-0.
"I was quite disappointed in myself and how I performed in Whangarei because I thought I bowed eight and a half over that were decent, then I let myself down by bowling and over or two that was quite poor based on the standards I set for myself," Nethula said.
"So when Wrighty told me I was picked for this game I was pretty adamant that I would set things right."
But it was McCullum who gave Nethula, who is the first legspinner to represent New Zealand since Brooke Walker in 2001, the inspiration to perform on the international stage.
"I keep telling myself what Brendon McCullum says to us in the changing room - this is the greatest time of our life, we are representing our country, he said.
"So I thought I'm going to play as if this is the last game I'll play for New Zealand and I'm going to try and make the most of it."
After conceding 20 runs in his three overs last night, Nethula wasn't sure if he would get another opportunity to bowl his leg breaks.
But McCullum showed faith in the 28-year-old and it paid off as he collected the wickets of Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya in quick succession in a controlled spell of wrist spin bowling.
Nethula wasn't the only newbie to make an impression in the series whitewash. The successful introductions of Andrew Ellis, Tom Latham and Michael Bates have given New Zealand depth, something they have long searched for.
"They bring enthusiasm and they also bring domestic experience," McCullum said, stressing the importance of playing new players in roles they are used to.
"As long as we play them in positions they are familiar with, then they've got some experience to call upon. We've seen in the past, players have come in to international cricket and almost play a different role to what they got picked for, so that was one of the big things we discussed.
"The guys that would get opportunities for the first time in this series were still able to play in familiar positions so we're pleased with their contributions."
