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New Zealand maintained the status quo
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Contributed by Ameya Tilak
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(593 views) |
With 106/5 in their first innings, New Zealanders are struggling big time. Like most foreign teams, New Zealand’s batsmen were seen having a tough time tackling Indian spinners in conditions that these spinners revel in. The likes of Ross Taylor and Brendan McCullum were dismissed and so was the young and promising Kane Williamson. Now, it is upto James Franklin and keeper van Wyk to take New Zealand to respectable position by avoiding follow-on. Considering, how difficult the tourists had found tackling the spin of Ashwin and Ojha so far, it seems an uphill task.
‘It may rain scenario’ delayed the start of the day’s play in the morning. Hence, the pre-lunch session lasted merely for 90 minutes. Pujara and Dhoni meanwhile made sure that they reached their respective landmark scores of 150 and 50. Although not too rapid, Indians did not lose any wicket till lunch. 64 runs more and 21 overs later, it was lunch on day two.
Post lunch session was a different story. India lost Pujara quickly after a composed knock of 159 and Dhoni too followed suit after his 147 balls 73 runs inning. R. Ashwin walked in once Pujara got out and chipped in with 37 runs. For New Zealanders, Jeetan Patel and young Trent Boult were the stand out performers with a haul of 4 and 3 wickets respectively. For Patel, the absence of Vettori had presented a good opportunity to become a regular member of this New Zealand test team. And he didn’t do much harm to his chances by scalping 4 Indian wickets. Although New Zealand bowlers were tested in the Hyderabad heat, it was New Zealand’s fielding that was the biggest let-down. The fielding lapses are not something we associate with the Black Caps.
Back to Pujara and Dhoni; if the early promise Pujara had shown at the domestic circuit was anything to go by then this 159 run inning should be just a beginning of a wonderful story. On the other hand, Dhoni should be happy that he got back amongst the runs in Test cricket. His form in the recent past (at the Test cricket) had worried even his ardent followers and questions were raised about his presence in the test team. This knock should postpone that discussion for some time.
So, that was the end of second day’s play. India till now had clearly dominated this Test and would be looking forward to seal this match before the 5th day commences. Alternatively, New Zealand should be hoping that Franklin, van Wyk along with tail-enders would add few runs that would help their bowlers to rattle the strong and semi-new Indian batting line up. New Zealanders would like to believe ‘a new day would bring new hope. While the Indians would be more than content to stick with the status-quo.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 August 2012 19:18 |
