Ishant six-for rocks New Zealand
Fast bowler Ishant Sharma offered India's limited-overs selection food for thought, clinching six wickets on day one of the second and final Test match against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Fast bowler Ishant Sharma offered India's limited-overs selection food for thought, clinching six wickets on day one of the second and final Test match against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Dropped from the squads for the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 earlier this week, Ishant screamed to telling figures of six for 51 in a final total of 192 all out at the Basin Reserve.
Fellow fast bowler Mohammad Shami weighed in with a complementary haul of four for 70 – as captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's choice to bowl first after winning a crucial toss was entirely vindicated.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan later ensured India a promising tally of 100 for two by moving to a steady 71 not out, which staved off the damage done by the left-handed Murali Vijay and in-form Cheteshwar Pujara's relatively early dismissals.
The hosts' batting order sported a new look in the absence of the veteran Ross Taylor, who is on paternity leave, and the addition of debutants Tom Latham and Jimmy Neesham.
The changes, however, did not pay off – as Latham endured a duck and Neesham's entry left the Black Caps minus the services of leg-spinner Ish Sodhi on a track that will later demand turn.
Sharma, as was the case in the series opener, which the Indians lost, was a force to be reckoned with. While his ODI and T20I form has brought plenty of criticism, there is little denying the talented right-armer's maturity in the longest format of the international game.
Screaming through the top order, thanks to sharp bounce and quickening lateral movement, Ishant – with Shami contributing too – reduced the hosts to 86 for six inside 36 overs.
First Test double-centurion Brendon McCullum and the dangerous Corey Anderson's cheap departures were particularly instrumental, while wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling joined Latham with a duck.
The Kiwis' final total, in fact, would have read considerably poorer – were it not for the defiant Kane Williamson's standalone 47 and aspiring all-rounder Tim Southee's late-order cameo of 32 – a trio of hefty sixes included.
The visitors' reply endured Vijay's odd lack of sound judgment, while Pujara contrived to perish lbw to fast bowler Trent Boult during the closing throes. Nightwatchman Sharma and Dhawan, then, dug deep to insist on no further wickets.
Latest
-
News
England Women wrap up 4-1 series victory in New Zealand
Heather Knight top-scored with 35 in England’s chase of 137.
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.