Vettori reckons Franklin is the key for New Zealand in second Test match
Daniel Vettori, New Zealand’s captain reckons that James Franklin could play a central role for their team in the second Test match against Pakistan. Franklin, who has not played a Test match in almost two years, is expected to play 27th match
of his nine-year Test career on Saturday morning in Wellington.
“I think James’ record as a batsman has been outstanding in first class cricket for three or four years now and his bowling complement that,” Vettori stated.
The 30-year-old all-rounder was recalled after his absence from first Test match due to his domestic cricket commitments.
Even though the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 Cricket said that the decision on the final eleven will be made closer to the start of the match, it was almost certain that Franklin will be assuming his all-rounder role.
However, Vettori hinted that he will likely assume his role with the ball due to the “juicy nature” of the Basin Reserve pitch at Wellington.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864 grounds-man Brett Sipthorpe stated that the pitch will provide more pace and bounce than Hamilton.
“It’s normally the guys who want to bang it in a bit and get something out of it. Franky (Franklin) knows how to bowl on this, so if it does swing he’ll be the one who gets something out of it,” Sipthorpe reflected.
Franklin has played at the Basin Reserve pitch the most and his familiarity with the drastic changing weather will work for him and his team.
After the debacle performance by the Kiwis in the first Test match, it is expected that the team will be working to enhance their batting line-up. The batting collapse was openly lamented by Vettori and the Black Caps’ coach John Wright after Pakistan convincingly
won by ten wickets.
Vettori confirmed that he will remain at number 8 behind the Black Caps wicketkeeper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Reece-Young-c2302. Therefore, it is most likely that Martin Guptill will be promoted to open alongside Brendon McCullum after Tim McIntosh’s horror innings in the Hamilton Test.
Franklin will then likely be batting at the sixth position with the rest of the top six shifting up one position.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 will be seeking to win the Test series in a long time while the Kiwis would be pushing hard to dominate the bat on day one.
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