http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 v New Zealand – 2nd Test – Kiwi batsmen to watch out for [Part 2]
Continued from Part 1 ...
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129
While he is renowned for his performances in the limited-overs format of the game, veteran batsman Brendon McCullum also has a formidable Test record, and is one of the Kiwi batsmen who are most likely to drive New Zealand’s innings during their upcoming
second Test against Sri Lanka, due to be played at the P Sara Oval in Colombo from November 25 to 29.
Having played 69 matches for the national side since his Test debut against South Africa in 2004, McCullum has 4059 runs and 6 centuries to his credit in the extended-overs format. The 31-year-old has also showed plenty of promise in sub-continental conditions,
having smashed his highest Test score – a massive 225 – against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hyderabad-c792 during November 2010.
While the rest of his fellow batsmen struggled to apply themselves at the crease during the first Test of the series at Galle, McCullum managed the highest score – a 68 (including 2 sixes and 8 fours) – during the first innings. Having fallen prey to Rangana
Herath during both innings, McCullum is bound to be eager to rectify his mistakes, and get back to his hard-hitting ways – resolve which New Zealand will be counting on him to convert into solid performances.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LRPL-Taylor-c1849
Alongside the need to improve his own individual performances, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 also faces the additional pressure to lead from the front and captain the team successfully through the second Test, and the added responsibility is likely to
make him a prime contributor with the bat.
In addition to his duties as captain, Taylor also has an impressive record in the extended-overs format. Since making his debut in 2007 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, the Kiwi skipper has gone on to play a total of 42 Tests, and has 3052 runs and 7 centuries to his
credit.
While Taylor was disappointing in the recent Galle Test, managing paltry scores of 9 and 18, the 28-year-old showed a fair amount of composure in sub-continental conditions during New Zealand’s tour of India earlier this year, where he smashed a 113 during
the second Test, at Bangalore in August. The team will be looking to him to channel the same form and lead by example, as they look to end the ongoing series against Sri Lanka on a draw, with a victory in the second Test.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kruger-van-Wyk-c1811
South African-born, wicketkeeper batsman Kruger van Wyk opted to move to New Zealand when it became clear http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MV-Boucher-c2048 was not going to relinquish his spot as the Proteas’ wicketkeeper of choice anytime soon. Since then, van Wyk has gone on to impress in
the New Zealand domestic circuit, and is currently affiliated with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Central-Districts-c777. With 110 first-class matches, and 5118 runs (with 6 centuries) under his belt, van Wyk was ranked among the top five batsmen at his state – feats which earned him a Test
debut this year, in March against South Africa.
Since then van Wyk has gone on to feature in 8 Tests as a wicketkeeper batsman for the Black Caps, and has 341 runs at an average of 24.35, with a strike rate of 49.42. His highest score – a 71 – came in August this year in the Kiwis’ second Test against
India in Bangalore, which suggests he has a knack for growing accustomed to the sub-continental pitches.
He also bolstered New Zealand’s middle order significantly during the recent Galle Test. Amid the dismal performances of his teammates, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Graham-Robert-Cowdrey-c60631 Wyk fared considerably better – his 28 during the first innings was the third highest score on his side, while in
the second innings he managed to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adrian-Roger-Kirshaw-Pierson-c42135 it out at the crease until the very end, remaining unbeaten on 13. If he can couple his staying power with useful contributions to the team total, van Wyk is bound to prove a vital cog in the Black Caps’ batting order
in Colombo.
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