Report - 1st Test, Day 2 : New Zealand in control after de Grandhomme picks up record 6-41 on debut

[Abdullah719]

Toss: New Zealand won the toss, Kane Williamson chose to bowl first.

Teams

New Zealand: TWM Latham, JA Raval, KS Williamson (c), LPRL Taylor, HM Nicholls, C de Grandhomme, BJ Watling (wk), TG Southee, TD Astle, N Wagner, TA Boult.

Pakistan: Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali.

New Zealand won the toss on the 2nd morning at Christchurch after Day 1 was washed out and opted to bowl with some cloud cover on offer along with the green pitch, as they opted to go in with two debutants. Pakistan began in a circumspect manner, as expected, owing to the conditions as a decent amount of swing was on offer. The New Zealand bowlers didn't quite get their radars right as the openers left off-target deliveries well alone, negotiating the first 12 overs. However, medium pace de Grandhomme on debut had his maiden wicket as he had Azhar bowled with a good delivery that seamed in a bit. The recalled Babar Azam came in at #3 as the batsmen looked to get through the pressure - it was Southee who broke through as Sami edged a rising delivery to slip. This triggered a mini-collapse as de Grandhomme struck again to remove Babar via a loose shot, caught at slip. Younis became his third victim as he also went for an ambitious drive, getting caught in the slips. Shafiq joined Misbah at the crease, and the two batted out the rest of the overs in an extended first session in a calm manner as Pakistan looked to stage a recovery from 56/4, ending at 88/4 at lunch.

New Zealand struck a blow after lunch as de Grandhomme had Shafiq caught at slip as he poked at a good length delivery outside off. Sarfraz tried to showcase some aggression as the total went beyond 100 but succumbed to a loose shot, guiding Southee to gully. Amir hung around for a while with Misbah but runs didn't come easily. Boult returned and had Amir bowled with a good outswinger. Sohail hung around for a while as well until he became de Grandhomme's 5th wicket, a dream debut with the ball for the all-rounder. Running out of partners, Misbah went for a big shot against Boult and was caught at mid-off, having played 108 balls for his 31 runs. Rahat was the last to fall, as de Grandhomme ended with the best figures for a New Zealand bowler on debut - 6-41, as Pakistan were bowled out for 133.

Pakistan began well as the bowlers looked for early breakthroughs - Amir had one as Latham fell LBW to a straightish delivery. He reviewed thinking there was an edge but it was bat first, with the decision upheld. Sohail got the big wicket as Williamson tried to punch a rising delivery, edging to slip where Sami took a sharp catch. Rahat came on to bowl as first change and struggled with his line and length. However, he struck to remove Taylor as he gloved one down the leg-side. Nicholls joined Raval at the crease and the two looked comfortable despite a few plays and misses as the conditions eased out for batting with the sun out after the earlier cloudy conditions. Pakistan tried a variety of bowling changes as the pacers looked to extract some seam movement but the batsmen were solid with Raval showcasing good temperament as New Zealand ended the day at 104/3, 29 runs behind.

Summary: A good start to the series for New Zealand. It was the show of the debutants as first de Grandhomme picked up the best figures by a NZ bowler on debut, backed by an unbeaten fifty by the impressive Raval. Pakistan would've felt they were in the game when they had NZ 40/3 but loose bowling combined with easier conditions for batting meant that the hosts ended the day in control. Pakistan will be hopeful of getting some early breakthroughs on Day 3 and limited New Zealand to a small lead in the first innings, but if the batsmen survive initially, the hosts could very well end up running away with the game.

Fall of wickets:

1-31 (Azhar Ali, 12.3 ov)
2-53 (Sami Aslam, 17.6 ov)
3-53 (Babar Azam, 18.6 ov)
4-56 (Younis Khan, 20.6 ov)
5-88 (Asad Shafiq, 34.4 ov)
6-101 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 39.2 ov)
7-114 (Mohammad Amir, 46.1 ov)
8-129 (Sohail Khan, 53.5 ov)
9-129 (Misbah-ul-Haq, 54.5 ov)
10-133 (Rahat Ali, 55.5 ov)

1-6 (Latham, 4.3 ov)
2-15 (Williamson, 9.1 ov)
3-40 (Taylor, 16.4 ov)

 

[MenInG]

So looks like the lessons of Sharjah were not learnt? and also disappointed that out bowlers could not copy the work of NZ bowlers

Summary: A good start to the series for New Zealand. It was the show of the debutants as first de Grandhomme picked up the best figures by a NZ bowler on debut, backed by an unbeaten fifty by the impressive Raval. Pakistan would've felt they were in the game when they had NZ 40/3 but loose bowling combined with easier conditions for batting meant that the hosts ended the day in control. Pakistan will be hopeful of getting some early breakthroughs on Day 3 and limited New Zealand to a small lead in the first innings, but if the batsmen survive initially, the hosts could very well end up running away with the game.

 

[Rayyman]

No warm-up and bad toss to lose. Recipe for disaster.

 

[Rayyman]

So looks like the lessons of Sharjah were not learnt? and also disappointed that out bowlers could not copy the work of NZ bowlers

Summary: A good start to the series for New Zealand. It was the show of the debutants as first de Grandhomme picked up the best figures by a NZ bowler on debut, backed by an unbeaten fifty by the impressive Raval. Pakistan would've felt they were in the game when they had NZ 40/3 but loose bowling combined with easier conditions for batting meant that the hosts ended the day in control. Pakistan will be hopeful of getting some early breakthroughs on Day 3 and limited New Zealand to a small lead in the first innings, but if the batsmen survive initially, the hosts could very well end up running away with the game.

Honestly Rahat and Yasir were both very poor. The pitch was also harder for our bowlers though.

 

[MRSN]

was this really the pitch or we had a day to make nobodys heroes?

I fall asleep when Pakistan were 30 odd for no loss and they were looking good. Boult and Southee looked like they were bowling on a flat deck. What happened all of a sudden then?

 

[Rayyman]

was this really the pitch or we had a day to make nobodys heroes?

I fall asleep when Pakistan were 30 odd for no loss and they were looking good. Boult and Southee looked like they were bowling on a flat deck. What happened all of a sudden then?

Pitch was clearly green. Loose shots too though by 3,4,6 and 9.

 

[161]

Disappointed in the bowling -

Sohail has five good overs and he is done
Rahat bowls garbage and gets the odd wicket through luck
Amir has lost his confidence not targeting the stumps anymore

Also we need a fast bowling all rounder

 

[MenInG]

No warm-up and bad toss to lose. Recipe for disaster.

This is the warm-up

PCB did not allow enough time for warm-ups

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Pathetic batting. After grant elliot and thisara perera, this groundhomme or whatever guy destroys us with the same simple bowling.

Another thing should be clear after today; we can't have a 4 man attack for much longer looking at our upcoming matches where we obviously won't play two specialist spinners.

 

[Junaids]

This was the performance of an underprepared team that hasn't adapted to the conditions.

Whoever scheduled the West Indies Tests directly before this should be fired.

 

[samplepiece]

Did not watch the day's play. What kind of bowler is Grandhomme?

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

This was the performance of an underprepared team that hasn't adapted to the conditions.

Whoever scheduled the West Indies Tests directly before this should be fired.

Basically This !! That was the most unnecessary series in the history of unnecessary series.... The point of that was what exactly ?? It made us loose points, go to an alien continent under prepared and then get our behinds handed to us by a Jacky Sheroff ???

Bad Plan to say the least !!

 

[samplepiece]

But what does de Grandhomme bowl? Gentle medium swing or hit-the-deck-hard seamer?

 

[leatherface58]

Lol ok. But what does he bowl? Gentle medium swing or hit-the-deck-hard seamer?

Rick Rude with a Gavin Larsen action. Was lethal in these conditions and aided a bit by Pakistan's complacency.

 

[Amjid Javed]

This was the performance of an underprepared team that hasn't adapted to the conditions.

Whoever scheduled the West Indies Tests directly before this should be fired.

The kiwis tests were suppose to be played at the start of the year before the Last world cup.. PCB and NZCB moved them as they didnt want to play tests at that time of year just before the world cup.. the W.I tour was always scheduled at the right time.

 

[Junaids]

The kiwis tests were suppose to be played at the start of the year before the Last world cup.. PCB and NZCB moved them as they didnt want to play tests at that time of year just before the world cup.. the W.I tour was always scheduled at the right time.

But the Tests should have been played before the limited overs matches, allowing the Test squad to camp Down Under for two extra weeks.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The batting today was pathetic and showed no discipline. After seeing of the new ball our batters got sloppy and lets hope we dont give away to big a lead now on 1st inns and can some how get back into the match.

 

[Amjid Javed]

But the Tests should have been played before the limited overs matches, allowing the Test squad to camp Down Under for two extra weeks.

There was no space to play tests before as PCB was scheduled to play the India series which never happened... just poor schedule planning all round!

 

[Timewaster]

Think if Pakistan can restrict NZ to 200 which is very likely to happen, Pakistan will bat in the best batting conditions of the match and could set up a good game.

I cant believe you guys gifted that debutant 6 wickets lol, I was angry watching it happen cos now he wont get dropped and his 125kph pace just wont cut it in normal conditions. He looks like a part time bowler......
Also please get Nichols out early as he is not good enough for this level! and plz smoke Southee in the 3rd innings as he need to be dropped for Henry

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

NZ aren't getting more than 200 with this pathetic batting line-up (apart from Latham and Williamson). I expect PAK to get NZ out before 200 cuz the main batsmen are already out and the rest are, well.......... not good enough. Cloud cover is expected throughout tomorrow so NZ won't be having it easy.

 

[Sherlock]

The batting seems to be a continuation from the last Test vs WI.

Awful dismissals coupled with good deliveries.

Not having a practice game hasn't helped gauge the conditions either.

 

[90MPH]

NZ won a crucial toss and although they initially wasted the new ball they made good use of it later with their new millitary medium pacer who made perfect use of the conditions. Some of the Pak dismissals were poor shots though.

Its an uphill task here with the conditions getting better for battting.

 

[MenInG]

Think if Pakistan can restrict NZ to 200 which is very likely to happen, Pakistan will bat in the best batting conditions of the match and could set up a good game.

I cant believe you guys gifted that debutant 6 wickets lol, I was angry watching it happen cos now he wont get dropped and his 125kph pace just wont cut it in normal conditions. He looks like a part time bowler......
Also please get Nichols out early as he is not good enough for this level! and plz smoke Southee in the 3rd innings as he need to be dropped for Henry

nothing is gifted in international cricket.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Need to keep them to 220 max but that is unlikely. I can see Southee and Grandhomme scoring quick runs. We are losing this unless YK scores big.

 

[Hasan123]

Disappointing performance. Think the batsmen will perform better in the next 3 innings

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

This match is lost.

 

[The_KING]

No batsman showed any fight except Misbah who always fight. The bowling was disappointing as always. This match is nearly lost unless if NZ collapse tomorrow.

 

[troodon]

NZ looking good for a 150 run lead.

Pak has to bat really well in the 2nd innings to keep the match alive and have a chance.

Raval Brother channeling his inner Indian in him with the bat. Well compiled 50 on debut against one of the best attacks in the world on a green track.

 

[Zeshan547]

For win
bowl out kiwis under 200 at max in 1st session tomorow,
score atleast 270 to 300 in next 3 odd sessions and set kiwis minimum 200 target, then shoot out them under that score,
For draw,
bowl out nz under 300 till tea tomorow then play out next 5 sessions atleast and score around 450 minimum, which will set kiwis a 280 plus target in 2 sessions and pak can defend that by bowling dry and setting defensive fields, and if kiwis really try to force the issue then pak can even bundle them out in 2 sessions theoretically.
But as of now there is 10 percent chance of draw, 20 percent pak win but 70 new zeland win. You don't win many test after getting all out under 150 no matter how hard the conditions are. But it's not beyond pak, and nz can also help pak cause by self destructing batting as well.

 

[the Great Khan]

I would say we really messed that up. The first hour made the batters overconfident. They thought they had gotten through a tough period and decided to try and dominate the kiwi's which was a stupid idea.

some of the shots were ridiculous.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

I would say we really messed that up. The first hour made the batters overconfident. They thought they had gotten through a tough period and decided to try and dominate the kiwi's which was a stupid idea.

some of the shots were ridiculous.

Yeah especially Babar and YK really gave it on a platter.

 

[StreetSmart]

de Grandhomme looks like Super Mario :-D well joke aside I think the lack of preparation and an awful wicket was the reason of batting failure

 

[StreetSmart]

Did not watch the day's play. What kind of bowler is Grandhomme?

Gentle medium pace but problem was that was not pitch it was garden I mean there should be limit to everything

 

[Markhor]

I was fearing something like this - if we had the ideal preparation for the England tour then this was the opposite. No practice match, players undercooked and sent in on a greentop.

Just cut your losses from here - there's only two days left in this match anyway and possibility of further rain.

Bowl NZ out for less than 250 then hopefully pitch will ease out and we can bat to a draw in the 3rd innings.

Then rebuild in Hamilton.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

I was fearing something like this - if we had the ideal preparation for the England tour then this was the opposite. No practice match, players undercooked and sent in on a greentop.

Just cut your losses from here - there's only two days left in this match anyway and possibility of further rain.

Bowl NZ out for less than 250 then hopefully pitch will ease out and we can bat to a draw in the 3rd innings.

Then rebuild in Hamilton.

3 days.

 

[Markhor]

3 days.

Yes three days sorry. So let's dismiss NZ before close of play today, restricting them to 250-300. Play out whole of D4 and a session on Day 5 to build an unassailable lead and get to a draw somehow.