New Zealand v Windies, 2nd Test, Day 2 – 5 Talking Points

It is advantage New Zealand at the end of second day’s play in Hamilton. The hosts added vital 87 runs to their overnight total as pacers Tim Southee and Trent Boult expressed themselves with the bat. The Kiwis were bowled out for 373 in their first innings and took the field later in the day with a killer instinct that saw them have a go at the Windies batters.

The visitors once again struggled against the pacers and they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Windies skipper Kraigg Braithwaite laid a decent foundation at the top with a gritty 66 while the rest of the batters failed to convert starts. Let’s take a look at the five talking points from Hamilton on day 2.

Boult-Southee fire with the bat

A 49-ball 61 runs partnership between the duo- Trent Boult and Tim Southee helped New Zealand go past the 350-run mark. Southee smashed a couple of sixes and a boundary while Boult batted at a strike rate of 137.03. The duo threatened to take the score past 400 but it was Kemar Roach, who finally dismissed Southee for 31 while Boult remained unbeaten on 37.

Ambris’ dubious distinction

Sunil Ambris put on a highlight of his debut dismissal by cracking the stumps with his right shoe. The newcomer is now third in the list of batsmen who have been dismissed ‘hit-wicket’ with two to his name. Dennis Compton(five times) is at the top, followed by Mohinder Amarnath(three times). He departed for just two runs, leaving his side high and dry.

Braithwaite leads from the front

Skipper Kraigg Braithwaite once again went about his business and steadied the ship after losing his opening partner Kieron Powell in the very first over. Braithwaite found the ropes on nine occasions and sent out a maximum during his 116-ball stay. The visitors kept losing wickets at one end as the opener tried to hold on one end up and add 66 runs to the total.

Kiwis right on the money

There were no freebies by the Kiwi bowlers. Unlike Windies, the Blackcaps didn’t concede too many extras and kept it tight. Southee-Boult bagged four wickets between them while Colin de Grandhomme scalped a couple to his name. Neil Wagner did well to dismiss Shane Dorwich, who looked set, scoring 35. Kane Williamson made his pacers do the workout and therefore the spectators didn’t witness turn and bounce from Mitch Santner yet.

Windies in trouble

Apart from their skipper Braithwaite, Windies failed collectively with the bat. Their batting woes continued and once again it looks like they will have to play out of their skin to save this game. The tourists failed to send off the Kiwi tailenders as they added 87 vital runs to their overnight score. Raymon Reifer, playing his first Test, tried to avoid hiccups and added 35 runs with Kemar Roach before the latter was dismissed for 17.