Ashley Nurse played a key hand in Windies' convincing win against India on Saturday. It was after all, his 22-ball 40 that helped the visiting side post a competitive 283 for 9. He later took a couple of wickets, helping the side level the series 1-1.
Read: Kohli ton in vain as Windies draws level
And in the post-match interaction with the media, Nurse made it clear that they are here to play it hard.
How do you see today's performance?
I think it was a very good performance by the boys. Specially coming on the back of the performance we had in the last game. No one gave us a chance but I think we’re showing the public out here that we’re here to play.
In the last couple of years, you have been the most economical bowler for Windies. How has your bowling and batting come along?
Since I started two years ago, I’ve been given a role in the middle overs. It’s all about keeping it tight, creating some chances. It’s all about backing yourself. Sticking to your strengths and just going and executing.
Some criticism back home that you don’t take enough wickets. How do you view that? Are you happy with the role you’re given?
Every day is fishing day but every day is not catching day. So I just go and put the ball in the right areas, try to create as much chances as possible. And just try do my job, not really care about the critics, just go and do my job for the team each and every day.
How was the wicket in Pune today?
I thought it was a good wicket. It was a bit on the slower side. Don’t think the wicket had any devils in it. I just thought from our side Shai got a nice 95 and Virat got a hundred for India. It wasn’t a belter, you had to work for your runs but it was a pretty good wicket.
As a bowler, when you bowl to Kohli in this form, is it easy to bowl to a plan?
Everyone knows he’s a very good player. Probably the best player in the world at the moment. It’s all about setting your fields, bowl to your fields and let him bring the game to you. It’s all about sticking to your plan, don’t try to play his game because if you play his game, he’s going to beat you all the time. So just stick to your plan, set the field you want to set and go and execute.
Do you think with the tie in Visakhapatnam and the win in Pune, you have put India under immense pressure?
We’ve come here to play cricket. We’re not really worried about the talk. As I said before, lot of people didn’t give us a chance when we came here so it’s just good to see the boys play consistent cricket and giving India a run for their money.
Was there a conversation about getting the batsmen out at the other end considering India’s tail was long?
You’ve got to take wickets first and foremost. Be it that we tried to stick to your plans and bowl economically. We put them under pressure, stopped them from scoring and that made chances. So just about going out there trying to keep everything to our plans. We have plans before we come into the game. As I said before, don’t try to play his (Kohli) game, try to put him under pressure and that will put the other batsmen under pressure if he’s not scoring. They’ll be under pressure to score as well.
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