New Zealand’s defeat in the first tour match against Board President’s XI was largely due to their batsmen’s failure to convert starts, and the Kiwis will want to make amends in the second game on Thursday, ahead of the three-match ODI series starting October 22. (Board President’s XI vs New Zealand: 1st warm-up match - HIGHLIGHTS)
The Kane Williamson-led team had several batsmen failing to play long innings, including the captain himself. New Zealand will have another chance in their final 50-over warm-up match to ensure all bases are covered.
READ | Indian Board President’s XI down New Zealand by 30 runs in first tour match
Both teams opted against training on the rest day (Wednesday) between the two contests, at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
New Zealand had a tough time coping with humidity on Tuesday, and must not expect any difference in conditions for the second.
READ | On the long road back to Test cricket, Karn Sharma makes best of the chances
For any visiting side in India, the ability to put up totals around 300 provide chances of success, and New Zealand would know their batsmen will have to show more intent. Ross Taylor, who made an arduous 52-ball 34, would be required to step up.
{{/usCountry}}For any visiting side in India, the ability to put up totals around 300 provide chances of success, and New Zealand would know their batsmen will have to show more intent. Ross Taylor, who made an arduous 52-ball 34, would be required to step up.
{{/usCountry}}Colin Munro did not show any aggressive intent that New Zealand spoke about while promoting him as an opener. However, with the ODI series impending, the aggressive left-hander would want to change gears.
Another concern is the slip-ups made while fielding. Tom Bruce misfielded twice in an over to grant two boundaries to Prithvi Shaw, whereas Tom Latham’s miss behind the wicket to stump KL Rahul proved costly at the end. Prithvi and Rahul added 147 for the first wicket.
READ | Prithvi Shaw wins praise from New Zealand pacer Trent Boult
Latham top scored for New Zealand with 59, and his form makes him a certainty for the first ODI ahead of Glenn Phillips. The two had shared the glove work on Tuesday.
Todd Astle’s groin strain may have taken the leg-spinner out of equation for Thursday’s match, as he remains under observation.
For the Indian team, an all-round performance ‘outplayed’ New Zealand as per Trent Boult’s assessment. However, a mini collapse in the middle-order did hamper their chances to put up 300, with captain Shreyas Iyer (17), Rishabh Pant (15) and Gurkeerat Mann (11) falling for cheap.
All eyes will remain on Prithvi who earned rich praise from the New Zealand camp, dealing with the short ball as well as swing adroitly. He stroked his way to a fine 66, and the 17-year-old Mumbai batsman will be expected to pile up more runs.
India discards KL Rahul and Karun Nair did well to get fifties in the first match, and bigger scores will only help them to press for their cases into reckoning.
Squads: India Board President’s XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shivam Chaudhary, Shreyas Iyer (c), Karun Nair, Gurkeerat Mann, Milind Kumar, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shahbaz Nadeem, Karn Sharma, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Avesh Khan, KL Rahul.
New Zealand ODI squad for India tour 2017: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, George Worker, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Henry Nicholls, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips (wk), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee.