New Zealand should have looked to score a bit quicker: Wasim Jaffer

India and New Zealand are currently up in the 1^st Test of the two-match series at Green Park, Kanpur. Though New Zealand openers in form of Tom Latham and Will Young laid the foundation of a rock-solid start for their team, India bowlers bounced back in style on the third day of the game. The middle order of the visiting side crumbled in a quick span and credit for the same went to spinner Axar Patel who bagged a fifer yet again.

Talking in terms of the game NZ put on the table during their batting show, former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer felt that they could have scored a little quickly. While analyzing the team’s performance on day three, Jaffer was of the belief that Kiwis should have made full use of their chances while batting.

“I felt New Zealand played a waiting game. There has to be one batter at least who should take responsibility and accelerate the game. They could have scored a little quickly. If bowlers pick one wicket and a new batter comes in, it is very difficult for him to start from scratch and that is when panic kicks in. NZ missed a trick here and Rahane did a fine job in managing the field,” said Jaffer while speaking on ESPNcricinfo.

Axar Patel demolishes New Zealand’s middle order in Kanpur

Moving further in the discussion, former NZ star Daniel Vettori agreed with the point Jaffer made. Talking about New Zealand’s batting innings, the openers did a perfect job by building a 151-run stand before Ravi Ashwin disturbed their party. It was a quick derail from 197/2 to 241/6 and the credit went to spinner Axar Patel who bagged his fifth five-for in Kanpur Test.

After NZ were wrapped up for 296 runs, the Indian side came once again with the bat to only see Shubman Gill turning his back in no time. Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara are currently on the crease and will lead the proceeding for India on the penultimate day of the 1^st Test against New Zealand.