Cricket: Nerves let team down, says bowling coach Shane Jurgensen

Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson shows his frustration during the final ODI in Melbourne. Photo / Photosport

Nerves got to New Zealand in their below-par performances against Australia, according to bowling coach Shane Jurgensen.

The batsmen let the side down in the third and final ODI in the Chappell Hadlee series in Australia last week, but it was the bowlers, and by extension the lack of support from the field, which was the main issue in games one and two in Sydney and Canberra, as New Zealand were swamped 3-0.

In Canberra, New Zealand were forced to chase Australia's second-highest score ever at home in an ODI, 378 for five.

But when New Zealand reflect on the series, they'll realise game one at the Sydney Cricket Ground was a major lost opportunity.

They had the hosts 92 for four in the 20th over, but could not seal the deal, as captain Steve Smith rocketed away to a ground record 164.

"I think we were nervous," former Queensland seamer Jurgensen said yesterday, talking primarily about the bowlers and fielders. "We knew how important the Chappell-Hadlee series is. We had a few new faces in the group. We started quite well in the first game but didn't quite hold it [Australia got to 324 for eight].

"In a similar way we held them in the second game, not quite as well, but let it slip. We got the first 20-25 overs right but didn't quite execute towards the back end of the innings."

Jurgensen has played on both the SCG and Melbourne Cricket Ground in his Sheffield Shield days and knows the atmosphere can be daunting.

"When you walk out on these huge stadiums, it's almost like you're on a stage and you can't prepare for that type of thing.

"It's a bit of a shame we didn't quite come off in those big stadiums, and certainly there's a desire to fix things once we get home to play Bangladesh, then Australia and South Africa."

The lack of energy in the field didn't help. Bowlers feed off that.

The memory of former captain Brendon McCullum charging full pelt after a ball from mid off, then hurling himself at the onrushing boundary rope is just that, a receding memory.

Bowlers glared grumpily at fielders on occasions. There seemed a disconnect between the two groups at times.

That said, Jurgensen had high praise for the way Australia's batsmen went about their work.

"They did the little things right, ran really well between the wickets and put a lot of pressure on us. They know how to play and execute their game plans in Australia. It's something we'll learn from when we come back."