Second Test Preview: NZ v Pak
Pakistan were expected to struggle a little in New Zealand but the way they folded against the Black Caps attack on an admittedly green Hagley Oval pitch would have disappointed coach Mickey Arthur.
New Zealand on the other hand will be pleased to return home and return to winning after a long hard tour to India where they suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the Test series.
The tourists will have to find answers to their fragility against both short pitched bowling and a swinging ball as they brace for a Seddon Park wicket that is as green as the one they fell apart on in Christchurch and they will be without skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.
Misbah is suspended after the ICC sanctioned him for Pakistan’s slow over rate in the first Test banning him for one match.
Zimbabwe-born Colin de Grandhomme was a revelation for the Black Caps in the last Test and with Neil Wagner, Tim Southee and Trent Boult all looking good Pakistan could be in for a tough time in the second and final Test in Hamilton.
Jeet Raval impressed on his debut as he replaced the out of sorts Martin Guptill in Christchurch and his presence lends the Black Caps batting a more solid look although they are set for another tough examination against a quality Pakistan pace attack.
The Black Caps have Mitchell Santner fit again as well and his ability with bat and ball can only strengthen the case for the hosts to sweep the series.
Ross Taylor has been passed fit to play despite needing an operation on his injured eye.
Key Men
The impact of Kane Williamson simply cannot be overstated, he is possibly the best New Zealand top-order batsmen since Martin Crowe and without him the batting would look decidedly thin.
It’s hard to pick just one key bowler for New Zealand but Trent Boult is world class in any conditions let alone on a green top and is the leader of this attack.
Without Misbah Pakistan will lean heavily on the experience and quality of Younus Khan in the middle order and will be looking to ODI captain Azhar Ali to step up after his triple hundred against the West Indies earlier this season.
Rahat Ali was the best of the Pakistan bowlers in the first Test and has proved more consistent than the star name Mohammad Amir, this surface should play to the left-arm seamers strengths but Pakistan will need to be more disciplined than they were in the first outing.
Last Five Head-To-Head Results
2016 First Test: New Zealand won by 8 Wickets in Christchurch
2014 Third Test: New Zealand won by an innings and 80 runs in Sharjah
2014 Second Test: Drawn Test in Dubai
2014 First Test: Pakistan won by 248 runs in Abu Dhabi
2011 Second Test: Drawn Test in Wellington
Squads
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Jeet Raval, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling
Pakistan squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Sharjeel Khan, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan
Details
Dates: 25-29 November 2016
Morning session: 10:30-12:30 (21:30-23:30 GMT -d)
Afternoon session: 13:10-15:10 (00:10-02:10 GMT)
Evening session: 15:30-17:30 (02:30-04:30 GMT)
On-field umpires: Sundaram Ravi and Simon Fry
Third umpire: Ian Gould
Match referee: Richie Richardson
Latest
-
News
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.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.