Southee: 'Six-bowler strategy worked well in Ranchi'

"We will try to have the best combination again for tomorrow’s decider. Yes, it is a fact that the six-bowler strategy did work well in Ranchi. Again, it depends on the nature of the pitch," said Tim Southee ahead of the fifth ODI.

Tim Southee's three-wickets helped New Zealand level the series in Ranchi.

Fast bowler Tim Southee said that New Zealand is looking to end its lengthy tour by winning the ODI series in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

Southee's three-wicket haul in Ranchi helped New Zeland level the series 2-2. New Zealand was whitewashed 0-5 in its last bilateral ODI series in India. It also lost all three Tests before the ODI series began. “It will be a nice feeling to have a chance to win the series for sure,” said Southee.

"We will try to have the best combination again for tomorrow’s decider. Yes, it is a fact that the six-bowler strategy did work well in Ranchi. Again, it depends on the nature of the pitch."

"It is all about adapting to the playing conditions quickly. So the success in bowling the slow ball, especially back of the length ones, depends on the nature of the pitch," he said

Asked if New Zealand didn't have good all-rounders, Southee replied: "There are some very good players like Corey Anderson. They are young and are quality players too who can succeed over the next few years."

Southee emphasised the need to dismiss Virat Kohli, especially in a chase. “But again, he is just one," he added, "There is (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni and others too who are capable of taking the issue to the line. So, we have to keep taking wickets at regular intervals."

Southee was pleased with his team’s think-tank reading the pitch correctly but said it was not always the case. “We have the right inputs which us help in forming the strategy,” he said.