Five test talking points
After winning the first test by an innings and then some, New Zealand will be expected to complete a two-match clean sweep over the West Indies starting in Hamilton on Saturday. What should we keep an eye out for?
SHOULD WE GIVE A TOSS?
There will be the usual pile of pontification over what the respective skippers should do if the coin falls in their favour but recent results for tests in New Zealand have shown that the adage ‘‘good toss to lose’’ is on a par with getting to decide your plans. So let’s not care.
CAN RAVAL KICK ON?
Since making his test debut in November last year, Auckland left-hander Jeet Raval has proved to be a rare steadying influence on the NZ top order. He averages an impressive 44.58 and has had nine scores between 33 and 88. Can he now, in his ninth test, take the step up to register his maiden test ton and possibly provide an innings that is clearly a match-winning knock?
PLAY THE LEGGIE
There seemed to be an indication on Thursday from West Indies coach Stuart Law that legspinner Devendra Bishoo won’t be the replacement for suspended captain Jason Holder in the playing XI at Seddon Park. Law suggested that previous performances and statistics meant that the venue wouldn’t be conducive for spin bowling. Bishoo’s test record isn’t overly imposing - 102 wickets in 28 tests at 36.01 - but he took 13 scalps in just two tests in Zimbabwe in October and New Zealand’s batsmen didn’t seem to be too overwhelmed by the Windies pace attack.
PRESSURE ON SANTNER
Centuries from the two men batting below him in the order in the capital has only brightened the spotlight on Black Caps allrounder Mitchell Santner. The 25-year-old has now played 16 tests and averages 25.52 with the bat and 38.96 with the ball. He doesn’t have to switch those figures around to be an indispensable figure in the side, but he shouldn’t be regarded as a project any more.
HISTORY AGAINST WINDIES
The visitors have played twice at Seddon Park previously, with disastrous results. In December 1999, the tourists ended day one at 282-1 and managed to turn that superiority into a nine-wicket defeat early on day five. Four years ago in Hamilton, the winning margin for the hosts was eight wickets.