Homeeditors pickIND vs NZ 2nd Test: Changes visitors should make for the Eden Gardens Test
India vs New Zealand 2nd Test: Changes visitors should make for the Eden Gardens Test
Confronting India at Kanpur was akin to walking on the brink of a cliff, one wrong step or a minute slip; you could see yourself languishing down the mountain.
New Zealand gave a glimpse of their prowess to excel in the Indian subcontinent but eventually succumbed to Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Confronting them at Kanpur was akin to walking on the brink of a cliff, one wrong step or a minute slip; you could see yourself languishing down the mountain. Fortunately, the wicket at Kanpur did not turn out to be a rank turner but batting did turn out to be tedious since Day Three for the visitors. Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner showed nerves of steel and did many things right in tackling the dominant spinners. Unfortunately, the Indian spinners were simply too strong. Williamson and Latham fought with near-unmatched confidence in the first innings and steered their team to a commanding 159 for 1, but could not hold on for long.
Batting was difficult from Day Three with Ashwin and Jadeja looming over New Zealand and being on top of their game. With India gaining a lead in the three-Test series, the onus is on New Zealand to bounce back and square the series or give them a surviving chance by saving the second Test to say the least. New Zealand have to reassess their strategies and make some changes, which could prove to be crucial at Eden Gardens. To add to their woes, all-rounder Jimmy Neesham suffered a rib injury and is ruled out of the second Test as well. Neesham’s loss is huge and his attacking batting could garner some valuable runs at lower down the order and counterattack spin, not to speak of his more-than-useful bowling.
Even then, some changes need to be made. For instance, they might consider replacing Martin Guptill with Henry Nicholls, elevating Ronchi up the order (probably even letting him open and providing more weight to their batting). BJ Watling is also being wasted batting at No. 7 and needs to be pushed up.
Guptill has so far failed to justify his selection in whites. He has looked susceptible against anything that moved at Kanpur. He has fared long enough without any substantial performance and has looked bereft of oomph in whites. His bare runs column is hurting New Zealand big time. New Zealand cannot expect Williamson to walk out at No. 3 and bail them out every single time. Guptill got a cautious 10 and 0 in the first Test but never looked comfortable in the middle. The Indian bowlers simply did not let him settle. Since the series is being played over three games, New Zealand have to be ruthless with their selections. Guptill’s expertise against the white ball is well-known but he misses the flare against the red cherry.
Latham played well in the first innings but fell prey to Ashwin’s persistence in the second. He has nevertheless looked a good prospect. Ronchi played two determined knocks in the first Test; in fact, his success was one of the moment of glories for New Zealand fans. He scored a tenacious 38 in the first innings and continued his good form in the second with a brisk, if risky, 80. His approach was valiant and played to the merit of the ball. Not to forget, Ronchi also smashed a ton in the tour match opening batting, which is a testament of his ability to stand out against the new ball. He can back his natural instincts and play freely, if he manages to get runs at the top, it will certainly help the middle-order and build a solid platform, which will ease the pressure off Williamson’s shoulders.
Surprisingly, Nicholls was not included in the first Test. He was in good form in South Africa and played couple of good innings on 36 and 76. Nicholls’ 76- at Centurion was a delight to watch as all other New Zealand batsmen floundered on the same surface. His career graph is on a rise and is tipped to be one of the pillars of strength for New Zealand. This is the best time to test him and hone his skills in the testing conditions. Nicholls could be the ideal replacement for an out of form Guptill and should bat at No. 5 after Watling.
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Another change that could be crucial for New Zealand in the batting-order is that of Watling. He is being wasted lower down the order. He did not score big in the first Test, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that he ran out of partners after that triple-wicket maiden over from Jadeja. He can certainly make an impact if bats in the top-order, especially on turning tracks of the Indian subcontinent. He is a proven player of spin; playing him in the top-order will only do well to New Zealand. Watling’s quick footwork and ability to read the spin stands him out and deserves to bat in the top-order.
It is time that Taylor stands up and assume the role of a senior. A veteran of many a battle, he should shoulder have shouldered more responsibilities along with his young captain. If New Zealand have to succeed, Taylor will have to score a lot of runs. Considering his poor form, it would be easier for him to step down the batting order and give others an opportunity to build a platform. He should bat lower down the order and rediscover his lost mojo. New Zealand batsmen batted well but failed to play those big knocks that they need to do in the matches to come.
The batting order should read for 2nd Test: Luke Ronchi, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), BJ Watling (wk), Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Mitchell Santner, Jeetan Patel, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner.
(Suraj Choudhariis a reporter with Criclife and CricketCountry. He is an avid follower of the game, and plays the sport at club level. He has a radical understanding about the subtle nuances and intricacies of cricket, and tries to express it through paper and pen.)
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