"They will all learn from that" - Tim Southee backs Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips to do well in India after promising show in Sri Lanka tour

New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee has backed Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips to learn their lessons from the Sri Lanka series ahead of the India tour. The veteran cricketer reflected that spin doesn't play as much of a role in New Zealand; hence, those getting those overs under their belt was critical for the duo.

The Black Caps were undone by the Sri Lankan spinners as they lost the series 2-0. Nevertheless, Ajaz and Phillips stood out for their side, with the former picking up a six-wicket haul in the first Test. On the other hand, Phillips managed five wickets in three innings.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday after the innings loss in Galle, Southee said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:

"Ajaz is obviously our main spinner and he did well throughout the series. Glenn Phillips, another guy who hasn't bowled all that much, really showed that he has grown, and gone from strength to strength. They will all learn from that and we will hopefully do well in India."

"I think just getting those overs into the spinners [was important]. Obviously when they're playing in New Zealand they don't have the opportunity to bowl a lot. You look to learn and move forward as a player and as a team, so it's what we'll be doing over the next week before we hit India."

While the first Test was a closely fought contest, New Zealand were out of depth in the second. After conceding 602 in the first innings, the tourists were bowled out for 88 as Sri Lanka enforced the follow-on.

"It was a big shift from the first innings" - Tim Southee on New Zealand's second innings in the second Test:

With the Black Caps scoring 360 after the hosts enforced the follow-on, Southee stated that it was an impressive batting performance as the players balanced attack and defence well. He added:

"The second innings was much more the way we want to play. The guys were quite positive and played in a more positive manner. It was a big shift from the first innings. I think it was a much clearer way for the guys to play. They they went out and they played their shots. I don't think it was reckless at any stage, even someone like Mitchell Santner, he was still hitting something like 50 of 100. So it was a good tempo innings, and it was about picking the right moments to attack and defend."

New Zealand's three-Test series against India begins on October 16.