Sodhi eager to be a man for all conditions

The legspinner hasn’t had many opportunities for New Zealand this season, but understands his position and is learning to cope with the pressure

Ish Sodhi opened the door for New Zealand when he had Faf du Plessis lbw © AFP

There may have been more than a hint of immediacy bias – the perception that immediate emotions are more intense than older ones – when AB de Villiers said that the spinning pitch in Hamilton provided the toughest turning conditions he had faced, but it was certainly an atypical New Zealand surface for the opening one-day international.

While de Villiers’ opposite number, Kane Williamson, was a little more subdued in his comments he agreed that there had been a difficult amount of turn as the match progressed; it was the same surface used for the Australia ODI and also a result of the time the pitch had spent covered in the lead-up to the match. It certainly made for a rare occasion where spin was at the forefront in the country; both captains included two frontline spinners with Williamson saying it was a “no-brainer.”

For New Zealand, that second man was legspinner Ish Sodhi. It is easier said than done being greeted by a pitch that a spinner would dream of, especially when you are a not a regular in the side, and not be overawed by expectation. Although New Zealand lost a tight encounter, Sodhi produced a neat display – 7-0-36-1 – and he was pleased to have handled the pressure “relatively well” in his first ODI since the India tour last October.

Until Sunday, Sodhi’s international season had been limited to two T20s against Bangladesh in Mount Maunganui – which brought the small matter of five wickets. Otherwise it has been Mitchell Santner, his Northern Districts team-mate, who has been handed the spin duties, even though a brief stint at the Big Bash for Adelaide Strikers produced the astonishing figures of 6 for 11 against Sydney Thunder.

Northern Districts’ main ground is Seddon Park, so while the amount of turn for the ODI was beyond the norm it is no surprise they are a region who produces spinners: they were also Daniel Vettori’s team. Responding to de Villiers’ views on the surface, Sodhi acknowledged that the spin was significant and tough to play but said it was not unheard of at the ground.

There are, though, few other venues around New Zealand to encourage turn in the same way which makes twin-spin attacks a rare sight, although it doesn’t rest well with everyone that Sodhi does not figure more regularly. Ahead of the ODI there was a discussion on a sports radio programme about New Zealand’s side and a suggestion Sodhi should not be so quickly ignored, believing too much emphasis was put on Santner’s batting.

Sodhi understands the current situation but he is determined to develop into a bowler who can thrive in all conditions. It is often suggested the small grounds of New Zealand do not help, but he believes he has shown he can cope: he had a lean Super Smash campaign with four wickets in nine matches, but took 14 in six matches during the Ford Trophy and overall both his List A and T20 numbers are eye-catching.

“The majority of the wickets in NZ aren’t going to [spin so much],” he said. “It’s about finding the balance and finding wickets and grounds which are big enough to play two spinners. It’s generally a seam-friendly country and so I’ve just got to keep working hard and when I get my opportunity like here I need to stand up and take it.

“I’ve played at Seddon Park my whole life and played most of my cricket on the T20 circuit in New Zealand is on small grounds so I’ve done it a lot, but it’s more pitch conditions that aren’t overly conducive to spin. It’s just finding the right conditions and if I continue to bowl well hopefully at some point I can be the guy they go to on any surface on any ground.”

Sodhi did acknowledge, though, the vast difference between domestic and international cricket but said he had become much better at not putting undue pressure on himself when his New Zealand opportunities came along.

“I cope with it better now. I’ve done it a few times now, so it’s getting easier each time but it’s more that I focus on just doing my job whenever I get the chance. Playing domestic cricket and playing international cricket is completely different; I reminded myself of that in the field, after 20 minutes I was actually blowing – it’s a lot more intense than what I’ve been used to for the last little while. It was a nice reminder.”

He’ll hope the next reminder comes sooner rather than later.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.