Devon Conway attributes New Zealand's success to positive, aggressive mindset

New Zealand reaped the rewards of their new approach, closing on 318 for 4, but Conway admitted that the top four didn't capitalise on their promising starts

Devon Conway attributed New Zealand’s success to a more aggressive approach at the crease – and that reaped rewards when Daryl Mitchell hauled a straight six into a spectator’s pint of cider.

The New Zealand team bought the fan, Susan, a fresh pint as an apology for scattering hers all around the seats in front of the pavilion, and the host county Nottinghamshire did the same.

The Blackcaps were in a charitable mood – and why not at 318 for 4 after being inserted by England.

Conway, who contributed a very confident 46 before being caught off the inside edge off Jimmy Anderson, confirmed that the batsmen had gone away and pledged to take a more proactive approach to the crease, disregarding whatever surface they encountered.

"One of the things we spoke about in our batting meetings between Tests was to try and be a bit more aggressive – have that positive mindset and intent to score. We were probably lacking that a bit in the first Test. We tried to control that as best as possible and are reaping the rewards after day one.

^{Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell shone with the bat for New Zealand [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

"It looked a little bit green on top. If we’d have won the toss we’d have probably bowled first too. But we tried to change our mindset to play what’s in front us, rather than worry about the surface. The actual nature of the wicket wasn’t as bad as it looked.

"The English bowlers bowled quite full and that presented us with scoring opportunities. As batters we always try to hit the ball as straight as possible, but we just reacted to what was in front of us and that allowed us to hit square of the wicket.

"If we can put pressure on the bowlers as much as possible that will benefit us down the track. There was a good passage of bowling after lunch, when Jimmy came back with Broady. They controlled their lengths really well and made it harder to score."

Conway joked that Mitchell, 81 not out overnight after combining well again with Tom Blundell, ought to stump up the cost of the replacement cider – a not-inconsiderable £7 – out of his own pocket.

"I certainly hope he does stump up. That would part of our culture to do that sort of thing.

"Timmy Southee called it very early on the balcony that it landed in the cup, so well spotted to him. It was funny when that happened, and good work from the camerawork to capture that passage of play.”

Levity aside, the fact the Dukes ball – 55.3 overs old at that point, but starting to swing responsively – received a soaking probably softened it further and dulled some of its movement, which was to New Zealand’s advantage.

Conway said the New Zealanders – who have come from the country with the strictest Covid-19 protocols in the Test-playing world – were surprised the umpires did not change the ball on Covid-19 grounds.

Bullseye 🎯🍺#ENGvNZpic.twitter.com/nPtyx6p7SU

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) June 10, 2022

"We were quite shocked that they didn’t change the ball. With all the Covid protocols put in place these days, we thought they might have looked to have changed it. I did see the umpire trying to dry it as much as he could with the towel.

"Certainly it didn’t swing as much [after that]. So Daryl played quite a smart role there ensuring that!”

With their captain Kane Williamson dropping out on the eve of the game after contracting Covid-19, there is still a chance that New Zealand could be further disrupted by positive tests during this match. For now, Conway was promoted up the order to No.3 – he has jumped between the top four during his short Test career.

"It was a bit of a shock for us late last night. It was unfortunate Kane has contracted Covid. He was a massive loss for us as a leader and a batsman. It’s just one of those things we have to get past and wish him a speedy recovery. I’m sure he’ll be very excited to join us for the third Test.

"For me personally, I’d just like to bat anywhere in the top four. I wouldn’t want to be any lower down than four. I don’t feel the role changes anywhere in the top four. It’s just about batting according to the situation."

Conway, seemingly by dint of playing with a slightly closed face to bowlers coming around the wicket, has the highest percentage of dismissals through inside edges in Test cricket.

"There’s a number of us that had good starts but didn’t capitalise. So it could have been an even better day. You have to give Daryl and Tom credit for their partnership late in the day. Regardless of what we did earlier on, they rectified the situation and gave us the momentum going into tomorrow."

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