Twitter Reactions: Henry Nicholls’ gritty ton keeps New Zealand ahead on Day 1
Had West Indies managed to hold on to the many missed chances, they would have been much better placed.
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Another juicy green top at the Basin Reserve in the capital city of Wellington that offered a fair bit to the bowlers witnessed some soaking action of cricket on the first day between New Zealand and West Indies. Having won the toss, West Indies elected to field first after making two forced changes as Joshua da Silva, and Chemar Holder made their debut. As for the Kiwis, skipper Williamson – who took leave on account of the birth of his child – was missing and BJ Watling was roped in as the replacement.
Windies’ move of choosing to bowl paid off quite immediately as Shannon Gabriel, who was playing his 50th Test, got a perfect length ball to move in to knock over Tom Blundell’s (14 from 19) stumps. In Williamson’s absence, the duties at number three were rested with Will Young, who survived a riveting passage of the game alongside Tom Latham. Though the two batsmen saw off some great spells of pace bowling, the partnership did not bore too many fruits as Latham (27 from 53) became Chemar Holder’s maiden wicket in the 17th over as he edged a testing-length-ball behind the wicket.
The hosts were pushed into deeper trouble when their mainstay Ross Taylor was undone by a near-unplayable back-of-a-length ball that was angling into the right-hander’s stumps. Gabriel continuously bowled at testing lines and the assistance from the pitch was just sufficient for him to make the batsmen fight hard to bide their time in the middle. At 82/3, West Indies, quite clearly, had an edge over the hosts.
Henry Nicholls stands tall
However, the tide change slightly in the favor of the Kiwis come the second session of the day. Getting a fair bit of luck on their side, the centurion Henry Nicholls was given a life early in his innings, which the batsman materialized to the best of his credit. Nicholls and Young kept them at bay as both the batsmen played and timed the ball beautifully in their 70-run stand. Both of them ensured that they did not allow the bowlers to settle and push them back as they successfully did in the first innings.
Adding 88 in the session, New Zealand went into Tea at 170 for 4, with Young (43 from 87) – who edged one off Gabriel in the second slips to Jason Holder – being the only man to fall in the session. West Indies were way too ordinary in the field – dropping as many as 5 chances, 3 of which were given to Nicholls, who had by then reached his half-century and had set the tone for a big knock in the final session of the day.
Fruitful last session for Kiwis
West Indies struck soon after the break as BJ Watling (30 from 51) was caught behind. In the meanwhile, Nicholls rode on his luck and slammed his 6th ton in the whites. The new man in Daryl Mitchell looked positive and played with intent throughout, and the opponents’ laxity allowed New Zealand to pile up 124 runs in the final session of the day. While Chemar Holder was rewarded for his discipline as he bagged 2, the pick for the day was Gabriel, who got to his 150th Test wicket.
Had West Indies managed to hold on to the many missed chances, they would have been much better placed. Although, they struck right at the brink of stumps. Chemar Holder trapped Mitchell LBW, at the other end, Nicholls stood tall unbeaten at 117. The gripping day came to an end as, despite all the assistance from the track, the visitors managed almost 300 runs at the loss of 6.
Here are the best tweets
Great to see crowds back in test cricket in Newzealand today ..westindies play the home team at basin reserve …the game needs this @bcci pic.twitter.com/ruRtjwdFGv
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) December 11, 2020
West Indies seem a bit tentative to bat on a Wellington green top. To many chances been given to the @BLACKCAPS #WIvNZ #Cricket
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) December 11, 2020
Congrats to Shannon Gabriel on his 150th test wicket in his 50th Test. His last 3 yrs have shown tremendous improvement.
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) December 11, 2020
Well done Henry Nicholls on Test century no.6. 🏏🇳🇿#NZvWI
— Christian Hansen (@cpHansen3) December 11, 2020
Good day for New Zealand. Mad respect for Henry Nicholls. 117*. Fortune favors the brave. #NZvWI
— Eric (@er_icc) December 11, 2020
Henry Nicholls what a knock!!🔥🔥#NZvsWI
— Ashwin (@sudharsanak1010) December 11, 2020
Well done Henry Nicholls. Some question marks about his place in the team, but he answered and has put NZ in a strong position heading to stumps #NZvWI @BLACKCAPS
— Damian Sharkey (@Sharks771) December 11, 2020
Henry Nicholls' sixth Test century (117* not out, 15 fours, 1 six) helped New Zealand take honors on Day 1 of the 2nd Test vs West Indies. NZ – 294/6 at stumps on Day 1 #NZvWI
— Cric Trend (@crictrend_) December 11, 2020
Henry Nicholls 💯
The New Zealand batsman brings up his fifth Test century, the joint second-most in the format by anyone since the start of 2018 💥#HenryNicholls #NZvWI#HarHaalMainCricket pic.twitter.com/AdUIZ2VK2T— Alee (@Caption__master) December 11, 2020
Really impressed with Darryl Mitchell in this innings. He has come out and played positively and taken the pressure off Henry Nicholls. This innings by Nicholls is reminiscent of his innings against Bangladesh a few seasons ago that hit his test career going. #NZvWI
— The Cricketeers (@cricketeersnz) December 11, 2020
Outstanding from Henry Nicholls, never easy to get going in such conditions https://t.co/UyCIQFCxs0
— Raghav (@Smudge_scores) December 11, 2020
Excellent century from Henry Nicholls, after being 78/3 he made great partnerships with Will Young, BJ Watling and now Daryl Mitchell. One of the finest middle order batsman of the modern era in Test cricket.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 11, 2020
Henry Nicholls 😂🥶
CENTURY!
Mitchell going well alongside Henry and crowd’s loving it.
Great knock bud, kiwis are in very strong position now— Shrutika Gaekwad (@Shrutika_05_) December 11, 2020
6th 💯 for Henry Nicholls – his third in Wellington 👏
— ⌫ ĸαѕυɴ ɴιrαɴjαɴ (@niranjan_69) December 11, 2020
💯 for Henry Nicholls. Came at a time when @BLACKCAPS were in trouble. He had his share of luck, bt u need that when u t playing the toughest form of the game. #NZvWI
— Vaibhav_MSDianForever🐍 (@V_Trips7781) December 11, 2020
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