India vs New Zealand, 1st Test Day 2: Southee, openers bring New Zealand back in the game as visitors reach 129 for no loss.
New Zealand’s batsmen Tom Latham, left, and Will Young walk back to pavilion after the end of the play on day two of their first test cricket match with India in Kanpur, India.
Tim Southee bowled an incisive morning spell to take five wickets which were then brilliantly complemented by openers as Will Young and Tom Latham New Zealand dominated India to reach 129 for no loss on the second day of the opening Test on Friday.
What a day for New Zealand. If Southee’s fifer was special, the openers putting on an unbeaten 129-run stand is even more sweethe visitors. To not lose a wicket for 57 overs against the highly potent Indian spin trio in home conditions is commendable. The application from Will Young on his first Test innings in India and Tom Latham was top notch. They were patient, tight, rotated strike and also got the boundaries away. Both played a confident sweep to the spinners, which probably is something the tweakers wouldn’t really enjoy. Much was anticipated when India took the ball, but the calmness and the assurance in defence had got New Zealand off to a brilliant start. Make no mistake, the visitors do know 216 is still a long way away. We saw Ashwin trouble Latham a bit towards the fag end. The cracks will only widen and we could so more purchase tomorrow and things could change pretty quickly. Shreyas Iyer’s debut hundred was a huge positive for India, but New Zealand will go back with a smile having owned the day.
New Zealand will, ultimately, be very relieved with their comeback today. It remains to be seen whether this can be converted to a win for the Black Caps but the team are in a great position to do so.
That will be Stumps on Day 2.
New Zealand 129/0, trail #TeamIndia by 216 runs.
Scorecard – https://t.co/WRsJCUhS2d #INDvNZ @Paytm pic.twitter.com/IvPs1Txzma
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 26, 2021