Hooray as Henry grabs two wickets
Sapping Heat turns up temperature on NZ as Black Caps grab three scalps after losing their skipper to sickness
New Zealand faced a formidable cricketing challenge last night after the Indian 12th man, Sapping Heat, made a cameo in the middle session on the opening day of the second test in Kolkata.
Next to strapping intravenous drips to their backs, there was no way of avoiding the furnace and subsequent dehydration that needled away at concentration levels as the Black Caps hunted wickets.
Faith in their fitness and nutrition needed to be resolute. The scoreboard looked mundane with India 136- 3 after 58 overs, but the commitment and discipline of the New Zealanders could not be questioned as Cheteshwar Pujara pushed on to 64 and Ajinkya Rahane to 47 in a wicketless session.
There was one chance, in the 51st over, when Rahane miscued Jeetan Patel wide of mid- on and substitute fielder Doug Bracewell failed to secure the catch running back.
Mitchell Santner also had a decent lbw shout against Pujara in the 55th over.
New Zealand delivered arguably their best session of the series to start the match.
They reduced India to 57- 3 after Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss.
Matt Henry led the way in his fifth test, and first since playing Australia at Christchurch in February. He was recalled in place of Ish Sodhi, on the promise the wicket would provide extra bounce and carry as opposed to traditional spin.
Henry relished his chance with the new ball, dismissing openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay in an opening spell of 6- 2- 14- 2. He was uncompromising on line and length, forcing the batsmen to play.
Dhawan, returning in place of the injured Lokesh Rahul, was lured into a cut shot outside off stump and played on. Vijay nibbled at a ball seaming away, and feathered an edge to B J Watling.
Trent Boult followed with the dismissal of Kohli, who lashed at a ball pitched about two sets of stumps outside off. Tom Latham grabbed a searing chance at gully.
The rewards were deserved for both opening bowlers who were unrelenting with their pace and aggression. Pressure built from both ends, even when Neil Wagner, Santner and Patel were introduced.
However, Pujara looked largely untroubled throughout. He con- tinued the form which brought him 62 and 78 in Kanpur. One off- drive from Henry even had the press box applauding.
The start to the match was overshadowed by Kane Williamson’s omission due to a viral illness.
His condition was described as “dehydrated” and he was rushed into quarantine. The world’s No 2 test batsman did not train with the side at the final practice.
Ross Taylor returned to captain the side which, despite the unfortunate circumstances, marked an extraordinary turnaround from the scenes of December 2012 when he was ousted from the job.
He looked composed and his bowlers responded when he set attacking fields throughout. Henry Nicholls will bat at No 3 in Williamson’s absence.
The test is New Zealand’s first at Kolkata in 51 years after earning draws in 1955 and 1965.
Any prospect of victory would be hard earned at a ground which the hosts have turned into a fortress this century.
India have won six and drawn two of their nine tests at the venue since 2001, when the John Wright- coached side delivered a miraculous comeback from a follow- on to beat Australia.
If India win the match, they return to No 1 in the test rankings over neighbours Pakistan. Bay of Plenty lock Culum Retallick suits up for his 100th game for the Steamers this afternoon in Albany. The 32- year- old debuted in 2007 and has since been a rock of the Steamers’ engine room. His side have a crucial Championship clash with North Harbour, who lie one ahead of them on the table. Harbour themselves are still without hooker James Parsons, still battling concussion symptoms, and also lock Brandon Nansen.
The start to the match was overshadowed by Kane Williamson’s omission due to a viral illness. His condition was described as ‘ dehydrated’ and he was rushed into quarantine. The world’s No 2 test batsman did not train with the side at the final practice.
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