Kyle Mills: T20 has given us courage in run chases

Seddon Park. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

Initially I hated Twenty20 cricket.

As a bowler, I felt like I was nothing more than a bowling machine. I didn't really get people out, batsmen got themselves out whether that was being caught on the boundary or swinging across the line.

The more I played it, however, the more it became tactical and the more I appreciated it. Bowlers had to come up with new skills, like slower-ball bouncers. Imagine Richard Hadlee trying that 30 years ago.

T20 cricket has also transformed batting. One of the big changes for us is we're now no longer fearful of trying to post large numbers in the final 20 overs of a 50-over game. After all, we do it all the time in T20 games.

We now try consciously to set ourselves up at certain marks when chasing a total. In the past, we tried to stick to a required run rate but it's OK now to be in a position to have to chase big runs off the last 20.

That's as long as you have wickets in hand and that's a key component of our game plan. We still aim to get a good start, scoring at a good early clip to give us momentum, but it's imperative we don't lose too many wickets.

If we do, then it's a matter of stabilising the innings and waiting for the opportunity to take advantage of the rules.

The five-over batting power play, when only three fielders are allowed outside the inner circle, and the fact a maximum of only four players can be on the boundary for 35 overs is a huge advantage to the batting side.

In the past, it used to be five fielders but that difference of one means there are significantly more gaps in the outfield for batsmen and is another reason for them to be confident chasing big totals.

It's very difficult to judge how many runs are in a pitch but we believe, given the bowling unit we have, we should be able to defend 275 or 280 (that can go up by about 15-20 runs at smaller grounds like Hamilton's Seddon Park or Eden Park). When I first started, that was closer to 210 or 220.

We copped a bit of flak for our run chase against Scotland but, whether we achieved the target for the loss of one wicket or seven didn't really matter. Run rates could come into play at end of pool stage and we made a conscious decision to try to get the runs as quickly as possible.

Losing two wickets with 10 runs to get was not a good look but the intent was there to keep scoring for the team.

The unselfishness of each individual was really cool to see. Most guys would have looked to get a not out to boost their stats but the team needed a good run rate and it was a good opportunity to really advance it. They kept pushing because it could help us in a couple of weeks.

It's been disappointing personally to not be involved in the first three games. It's a tournament I really wanted to play a big part in - given it's a World Cup in our backyard and will be my last World Cup - but I can't afford to be jealous or envious of the guys playing.

Although I'm not playing, I'm trying to contribute where I can whether it's in training or off the field for the team to succeed. But there's no denying the fact I want to be out there doing the business. Hopefully I get that chance.

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