'Spot the pitch' - Twitterati stunned with the green-top on offer in NZ vs WI 1st Test

New Zealand and West Indies locked horns in the first of the two-match Test series in Hamilton on Thursday. The hosts won the tussle in the T20I by 2-0 with the third and final game being abandoned due to rain. However, the result clearly didn’t have the bearing on the Tests as not many players who played T20Is are a part of the longest form for this series.

When it comes to the red-ball cricket in New Zealand, the pitch is the talking every time. The curator generally prefers to leave a lot of grass for the bowlers to have any chance in the game as the surface flattens out considerably later. The pitches in the Kiwi country are flat itself and the only reason to keep a lot of grass on the 22 yards is to give advantage to the bowlers for at least the first session on Day 1.

Accordingly, the due process was once again followed for the first Test between New Zealand and West Indies and the picture of the pitch went viral on social media ahead of the game. There was hardly any difference between the 22 yards and the rest of the ground and the fans were stunned to witness it.

New Zealand batsmen enjoy their stay in the middle

For any visiting captain, it is a dream to win the toss, especially in Tests to have an early advantage. And West Indies skipper Jason Holder had no hesitation in opting to bowl first. The Caribbean pacer Shannon Gabriel struck early as well with the ball doing all kind of tricks early on. The debutant Will Young was trapped in front of the stumps for just five runs and one felt New Zealand were in trouble.

But that wasn’t the case. The pitch eased on soon after to bat while even the West Indies didn’t bowl consistently in the right areas. Tom Latham and Kane Williamson batted well to rebuild the innings and stitch a century stand. The hosts will now be hoping to make the most of a good start and post a huge first innings total.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Looks like the groundsmen forgot to make the pitch. They just cut the grass a bit more and put the stumps in! #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/JvXz5FBEgW

— Srihari Raman (@sriharikraman) December 3, 2020

How good is this pitch for the first #NZvWI Test in Hamilton.

Think there might be a bit for the bowlers early…especially with overcast conditions.

Photo: @BLACKCAPS#Cricket @sportingnewsau pic.twitter.com/S1gQj3y7Yh

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) December 2, 2020

as a bowler the pitch that New Zealand and West Indies are playing on currently gives me joy. but as a batsman ( lower order wayyy loww) it is already giving me nightmares. #NZvWI

— Zukozombi3 (@zukozombi3) December 3, 2020

Spot the pitch 🤔 #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/rMcmR9cemV

— Jake O'Flaherty (@jakoboflaherty) December 2, 2020

If it isnt for the wide lines and stumps you genuinely won't know where the pitch is 😂😂😂#NZvWI

— Afzal Khan (@I_am_AfzalKhan) December 2, 2020

What time they dropping the pitch in? https://t.co/omTkgKRirY

— Josh Miller (@miltrain) December 2, 2020

I wish my lawn looked like that pitch. pic.twitter.com/zE458NOS1M

— Josh Miller (@miltrain) December 3, 2020

That might be the greenest pitch I've ever seen.

— 10 MP's Walk Into Parliament… (@goldenstatenz) December 3, 2020

This pitch is literally like someone has ripped the baize off a snooker table and slapped it into the middle of a field. Ludicrous. #NZvWI

— Michael Simpson (@Michaels051001) December 3, 2020