Sri Lanka v New Zealand – 2nd Test – Kiwi bowlers to watch out for [Part 2]
Continued from Part 1 ...
Trent Boult
A series of strong performances for the Under-19 team, and in the domestic circuit, propelled left-arm medium-fast bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Trent-Boult-c2708 into the international arena, and since then he has remained on the selectors’ radar.
Since making his debut in December last year, against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, Boult has gone on to play 7 Tests, and has claimed a total of 19 wickets at an average of 35.89. During the single Test he played against the West Indies in the Caribbean this year, he claimed
4 for 104, and followed it up with 5 wickets during the 2-match Test series against India.
Having served as an effective foil to Southee, young pacer Trent Boult claimed a useful two wickets during the host team’s first innings in the recent Galle Test, and was the most economical bowler during http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758’s second innings, giving away just 15 runs
in 4 overs. New Zealand will be counting on Boult to deliver an improved and intense performance at Colombo, as they look to equalise the series.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Todd-Astle-c2697
With sub-continental pitches famed for being conducive to spin, and the success http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 might consider playing a second specialist spinner in Todd Astle, to complement Patel.
As yet uncapped, Astle made his way into the squad for the Tests against Sri Lanka in the absence of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canterbury-c775 leg-spinner has a total of 129 wickets
from 56 first-class matches at an average of 35.39, and was the top wicket-taker in the Plunket Shield last year, having snapped up 31 scalps at 38.35. The promise and potential displayed in his domestic performances, combined with his agility as a fielder,
are likely to make him an important part of the Kiwi attack should he be named in the XI.
However, despite the obvious temptation to play a spin duo on the Lankan pitches, the selectors may elect to retain a three-man pace attack and keep a sole specialist spinner in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Huzefa-Mohammed-Patel-c63657. Should they opt for this combination, the contenders for the final spot
in the pace trio, alongside Southee and Boult, are http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CS-Martin-c1295.
While New Zealand have veteran pace spearhead in Martin at their disposal, Southee and Boult made fine work of the new ball in Galle, and are unlikely to be removed to accommodate http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Christopher-Alroy-Martin-c50714. This means it is likely to be a toss-up between Wagner and Bracewell.
Bracewell has a total of 40 wickets from 12 Test matches to his credit, after claiming an impressive 6-wicket haul while making his Test debut last year against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 this summer,
following which his form dwindled. He claimed 3 during the Kiwis’ 2-match Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, and was unable to nab a single wicket at Galle. While his recent performances suggest a slight dip in form, Bracewell’s past record has been fairly promising.
Another option is Wagner, who made his Test debut in July this year, against the West Indies, and is less experienced than Bracewell, having played 2 Tests, with 4 wickets to his credit. He has, however, been a consistent performer in New Zealand’s domestic
circuit, and recent outings for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Otago-c829 (he claimed 9 wickets in the two first-class matches he has played for the Volts during the ongoing Plunket Shield) suggest that he is currently in fine form.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: