"We've Been Sloppy": Adam Milne's Honest Verdict On New Zealand's Fielding

New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne admitted that his side have been "sloppy" in the field after dropping several chances during the ongoing T20I series against India. The Kiwis put down a couple of catches in the fifth T20I as well and also handed India a reprieve off a no-ball. Speaking after the first innings of the match at Seddon Park in Hamilton, Milne conceded that New Zealand would review their fielding lapses once the series concludes. "Yeah, I'm not sure. We've been a little bit sloppy in the field the whole series really. So it's something we'll look at at the end of the series and hopefully remedy going forward," he told broadcasters during the mid-innings break after India posted 191/8.

Blair Tickner dropped India captain Shreyas Iyer in the 10th over of Michael Bracewell at short fine leg after the batter miscued a sweep that ballooned into the air.

Later, Milne himself spilled a chance offered by Naman Dhir at sweeper cover off Tickner in the 16th over.

In between, Tilak Varma received a lifeline when he was caught at backward point by Finn Allen, only for the delivery to be ruled a no-ball after Nathan Smith overstepped. However, Tilak was dismissed in the same over, caught and bowled by Smith.

Meanwhile, Milne was pleased with New Zealand's effort to restrict India to 191/8. He said the early swing and variable bounce helped the bowlers keep the visitors below the 200-run mark.

"A little bit of swing early, which always helps. A little bit of inconsistent bounce as well. We saw a number of wickets splice and get caught in the outfield. Once it's swinging, it's about getting the ball up there and trying to use that movement. Fortunately for us, they hit a few in the air and the chances went to fielders rather than the boundary," Milne said.

"There was a little bit of variable bounce, but overall I think it was a pretty decent wicket. Hopefully we can chase them down," he added.

Milne starred with the ball, finishing with 4/19 and removing both Indian openers, along with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

"To get the openers after Wellington is always pretty nice," Milne said when asked about his favourite wickets of the innings.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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