New Zealand’s all-out pace attack removed both India openers before lunch in overcast conditions in the world test championship final on Saturday.
After the first day’s play was washed out due to rain, the inclement weather encouraged New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson to field first after winning the toss with five fast bowlers chosen in the playing XI.
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New Zealand’s all-out pace attack removed both India openers before lunch in overcast conditions in the world test championship final on Saturday.
The opening pair of Rohit Sharma (34) and Shubman Gill (28) won the early battle against the swing of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, adding 62 runs before both fell in the space of one run in an eventful last half hour before lunch.
Wagner lived up to his reputation of picking up wickets early as the left-arm swing bowler found the outside edge of Gill’s bat in his first over to give the Black Caps double delight in the first session.
In contrast to New Zealand’s all-out seam attack, India has gone with two specialist spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja with Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah as the fast bowling options.
If the outcome is a draw, the trophy will be shared.
India's Shubman Gill bats during the second day of the World Test Championship final cricket match between New Zealand and India, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England, Saturday, June 19, 2021. (AP PhotoIan Walton)
India went to lunch at 69-2 with Cheteshwar Pujara yet to get off the mark after facing 24 balls while captain Virat Kohli was not out on 6.
India's captain Virat Kohli, left, fist bumps with teammate Cheteshwar Pujara after hitting a boundary during the second day of the World Test Championship final cricket match between New Zealand and India, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England, Saturday, June 19, 2021. (AP PhotoIan Walton)
The opening pair of Rohit Sharma (34) and Shubman Gill (28) won the early battle against the swing of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, adding 62 runs before both fell in the space of one run in an eventful last half hour before lunch.
Sharma looked to have settled down well and played two elegant backfoot cover-driven boundaries against Colin de Grandhomme, who surprisingly bowled ahead of Neil Wagner.
Kyle Jamiesen finally induced a thick outside edge of Sharma as Southee pounced onto a two-handed low catch in the third slip to give New Zealand a breakthrough.
New Zealand's Neil Wagner celebrates the dismissal of India's Shubman Gill during the second day of the World Test Championship final cricket match between New Zealand and India, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England, Saturday, June 19, 2021. (AP PhotoIan Walton)
Wagner lived up to his reputation of picking up wickets early as the left-arm swing bowler found the outside edge of Gill’s bat in his first over to give the Black Caps double delight in the first session.
Wicketkeeper-batsman B.J. Watling will be playing in his last test match as he had announced his retirement from test cricket.
“Really great occasion for him to play his last game, and I’m sure he’ll enjoy it,” Williamson said at the toss.
New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson celebrates the dismissal of India's Rohit Sharma during the second day of the World Test Championship final cricket match between New Zealand and India, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England, Saturday, June 19, 2021. (AP PhotoIan Walton)
In contrast to New Zealand’s all-out seam attack, India has gone with two specialist spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja with Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah as the fast bowling options.
Kohli said he would have bowled first, too, had he won the toss, but he was happy to bat.
“Big final,” he said. “(Put) runs on the board and it’s always a bit of an advantage. The two spinners can bowl in any conditions and if there’s a bit of dampness, they’re really accurate and can make use of it as well.”
New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson celebrates with teammates the dismissal of India's Rohit Sharma during the second day of the World Test Championship final cricket match between New Zealand and India, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England, Saturday, June 19, 2021. (AP PhotoIan Walton)
If the outcome is a draw, the trophy will be shared.
India players wore black armbands in memory of the country's celebrated sprinter Milkha Singh, who died at age 91 late Friday night because of complications of COVID-19.
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New Zealand's Colin de Grandhomme, right, appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of India's Rohit Sharma, left, during the second day of the World Test Championship final cricket match between New Zealand and India, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England, Saturday, June 19, 2021. (AP PhotoIan Walton)
India's Shubman Gill bats during the second day of the World Test Championship final cricket match between New Zealand and India, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England, Saturday, June 19, 2021. (AP PhotoIan Walton)