Sri Lanka v New Zealand – 2nd Test – Kiwi bowlers to watch out for [Part 1]
New Zealand’s disastrous performance during the first Test of their ongoing 2-match series against Sri Lanka (played at the Galle International Stadium) owed largely to their complete batting order collapse, while the bowling attack was the sole saving grace
in what ultimately ended in a 10-wicket defeat for the tourists. The second match, scheduled to be played from November 25 to 29 at the P Sara Oval in Colombo, sees a fair amount of expectations riding on the shoulders of the Kiwi bowlers, as the team looks
to claim victory in order to end the series on a draw.
Famed for the turn in their tracks, sub-continental pitches are renowned as happy hunting grounds for spinners, which served as a bit of a concern for New Zealand, who came to Sri Lanka with just two specialist spinners in the squad. However, both the pacers
and the spinner in the Black Caps’ XI ended up extracting a fair amount from the pitch at Galle – 7 of the 10 wickets New Zealand took during the match were claimed by the pacers, while off-spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JS-Patel-c1747 snapped up 3.
The Colombo track is expected to be more seam-friendly as compared to Galle in the first couple of days, after which the team will be looking to the spinners to deliver once the surface begins to wear down. With the batsmen struggling to adjust, the bowlers
will be required to keep the opposition’s batsmen in line as the Kiwis look for a series draw, and the Black Caps possess a handful of competent bowlers who will be expected to get the job done.
Tim Southee
New Zealand’s pace spearhead, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TG-Southee-c2659 is understandably expected to play a key role during the upcoming Test in Colombo. A competent right-arm swing bowler, Southee made his international debut at the age of 19, and has since gone on to establish himself
as a vital cog in the Kiwi bowling attack.
Following a stellar 5 for 55 on his Test debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c749 in 2008, Southee has gone on to play a total of 20 Tests for the national side, and has 57 wickets at an average of 37.85 to his credit. The 23-year-old has displayed a remarkable ability to
manipulate sub-continental pitches in accordance with his own strengths, and claimed a total of 8 wickets during the Bangalore Test against India this year, with his 7 for 64 being the best figures by a New Zealand bowler in India.
Southee displayed similar aptitude during the Galle Test, and was New Zealand’s top wicket-taker, claiming 4 for 46, including single-handed demolition of the Sri Lankan top order during the first innings. The team will be looking to him for early breakthroughs
as they aim to weaken the opposition at the start of the match.
Jeetan Patel
With http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754’s front-line spinner, and shoulders the responsibility of providing the Kiwi attack with a much needed element
of spin.
Since having made his Test debut in 2006 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, Patel has gone on to play 16 matches for the Kiwis, with 50 wickets to his credit at an average of 45.18, and an economy rate of 3.24. Among his notable performances was the 2nd Test
of a 2-match series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, during which he picked up a total of 7 scalps.
Added to his past achievements is the fact that he recently delivered promising performances at Galle. The off-spinner made effective use of the track, and picked up 3 for 55, which included the crucial breakthrough wicket of Lankan skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397,
9 runs away from a century. The Black Caps will be counting on Patel to bring his best to the field, and make full use of any turn the track in Colombo has to offer.
Continued in Part 2 ...
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