E-Paper
Kiwi keen to add more brisk runs
Mark Richardson, who played a significant part in New Zealand's run deluge with 145, said his team would like more runs on the board.
Opener Mark Richardson, who played a significant part in New Zealand's run deluge with a career-best 145, on Friday said his team would be looking to put some more "brisk runs" on the board to put pressure on the Indians in the series-deciding second cricket Test here.
The Kiwis have already piled up a mammoth first innings total of 536 for five but Richardson hinted that the onslaught would continue on the morrow with the obvious strategy being to avoid batting for a second time.
Asked when the Kiwis declaration would come, Richardson told reporters here that "obviously at some stage it would come. We are looking to have a go tommorrow morning and score some brisk runs. What we eventually pull out on is upto Stephen (Fleming)...".
Richardson said he rated his knock in this Test highly because it came when the team needed it. His earlier best was 143 against Bangladesh in Hamilton during the 2001-02 series.
"From a technical point of view, I don't rate it very highly. But the knock was important from the team's perspective," he said.
Asked whom he treated as his idol, Richardson said the current Indian coach and former Black Caps opener John Wright has inspired him from his childhood days.
"I always wanted to emulate John (Wright) as a child. He is a great player".
On the Mohali track, Richardson said it had more life than the Motera track in Ahmedabad.
"The wicket is better than we thought (from the batsman's point of view). We had a hell lot of luck too. I think the wicket has a bit of life for the seamers but it's dying a little bit now. I think the real test will be tomorrow".
Regarding the Indian bowling attack, Richardson said "It's a class attack. You come here and learn a lot...The two spinners (Harbhajan and Kumble) are competitive characters".
He had a word of praise for all rounder Scot Styris, who also cracked a career-best 119 and shared a 151-run second wicket partnership with him.
"As a batsman, h has made progress by leaps and bounds. Now that he has been given more responsibility as a batsman, he has responded accordingly".
