http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 vs New Zealand – 1st Test – Toss Report
India won the first toss of the two-match Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hyderabad-c792, August 23, 2012.
Changes were expected to the hosts’ line-up following the retirements of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772, both of whom featured in the team’s last outing Down Under. The former had already announced his retirement from the game earlier in the year, while the latter made the news official just before the start of the opening Test, despite being named in the squad.
That opens up two important slots in the middle-order, the recipients of which are http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SK-Raina-c2539. Pujara last played for the Test side in January last year before injury sidelined him for the best part of the year. He however, has performed well recently, which includes an impressive tour of the Caribbean with the A side.
Raina was the second prominent chance, and will take the no.6 spot. The left-hander has been absent from the Test circuit since the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
Dhoni was positive about the inclusion of fresh blood into the team, hoping that the youngsters bring their own “character” to the side.
With http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Z-Khan-c98379 and Umesh Yadav are the preferred pace duo.
The tourists have also tinkered with their lineup, playing a four-pronged pace attack, comprising of Doug Bracewell, Trent Boult, all-rounder James Franklin and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CS-Martin-c1295, who returns after missing the last Test against the Windies.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JS-Patel-c1747 to resume his Test career, following an impressive stint in the English County Championship. Skipper, Ross Taylor, said that he would have also batted but expects his bowlers to put the Indians under pressure.
Both captains feel that with no grass on the pitch, it will certainly aid slow bowling.
India: 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umesh-Yadav-c94625
New Zealand: 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Trent-Boult-c2708, 11 Chris Martin
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