The pitch is already showing wear and tear says http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Guptill-c1980 – Cricket News Update
New Zealand’s top order batsman, Martin Guptill, who batted an impressive century on Day 1 of the happening Test match against the Zimbabwean hosts, expects that the Bulawayo pitch to depreciate even further during today’s play, having already shown signs
of wear and tear on the opening session on Tuesday.
“It’s already starting to show some wear and tear. There are already a few balls bouncing through to the keeper after day one. We are definitely looking at 450-500. If we can get that, it’s going to be very difficult for them (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045) to put pressure on
us to bat again,” said Guptill.
Opting to bat first at the one-off Test outing at the Queens Sports Club, the Kiwis kicked off their innings with Guptill and partner batter, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129. However, the pair could not settle into a partnership after the Rhodesian new ball bowler, Kyle
Jarvis, secured McCullum’s wicket, sending him off to the pavilion in the 11th over of the opening session, with one down player, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KS-Williamson-c1813 accompanying Guptill.
Managing to stall the side’s innings past the 35 overs mark, the duo was finally parted, following a run out dismissal of Williamson, who departed after falling just a single off a half century leaving Skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LRPL-Taylor-c1849 to assist Guptill, who finally crawled
on to earning his half century, followed by a worthy ton towards the close of Day 1.
Unfortunately for the batsman, Guptill’s causal stint was finally brought to an end by Zimbabwe’s debutant pacer, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Njabulo-Ncube-c79773, forcing the batsman to exit the crease on 109 runs, off 236 balls – aiding the Kiwis to finally wrap up the day at 275 runs.
The tourists are currently engaged with the Rhodesians, and have already lost Skipper Ross, as Day 2’s opening wicket.
Speaking to ANPZ following the opening Day’s play, Guptill said, “I’m just riding the wave as it goes. They bowled really well to us today. It’s nice to be in the middle and scoring runs. It doesn't happen every day so when you are out there you have to
try and make the most of it.”
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