Wagner’s absence leaves Jamieson in hot seat as NZ, India end ‘phoney war’
Kyle Jamieson wears some large cricket boots. But, figuratively speaking, he’ll have to go up several sizes to ably fill those vacated by Neil Wagner in Wellington.
The 2.03m Auckland seamer is difficult to miss but he’ll be the most-watched bowler in this intriguing first cricket test as India and New Zealand bring vastly different formlines to the Basin Reserve at 11.30am today.
Home skipper Kane Williamson all-but confirmed Jamieson, 25, for his test debut alongside Tim Southee and Trent Boult as Wagner stays in Tauranga with wife Lana for the birth of their first child.
On a pitch that groundsman Hagen Faith has left more moisture in to try to maintain pace and bounce for five days, Jamieson, after his impressive ODI cameos, could be a handful if visiting skipper Virat Kohli calls incorrectly.
Both captains will want to bowl first, with Kohli having in Jasprit
Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma as good a pace trio India have brought here
Wagner bounced out Bangladesh in the Black Caps’ win in three days last March, and is the man for later in the test when the going gets tough and batsmen usually prosper. He was huge in Australia, too, and his absence will be felt.
‘‘You don’t replace a guy like Neil; the qualities he brings are unique. You bring in a guy that targets different areas coming from a different height, and a really exciting opportunity for Kyle Jamieson,’’ Williamson said.
Who fills the final spot in New Zealand’s XI wasn’t confirmed by Williamson, aside from saying Matt Henry – summoned as cover for Wagner – would not play.
The means a choice between allrounder Daryl Mitchell and spinner Ajaz Patel. The Black Caps ditched their spinner against Bangladesh – and for the 2014 Basin epic against India – and after a Friday morning pitch inspection Mitchell might be favoured as an into-the-wind option who can nip