Williamson and Southee rescue http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754
Kane Williamson and Tim Southee mustered an unbeaten partnership of 83 runs in order to put New Zealand in a comfortable position against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, on day one of the first Test match in Hamilton. However, Pakistan bowlers did a pretty good job in restricting
the Kiwis to a score of 260 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
The conditions have been dry and good for batting, as the wicket did not have much to offer to the bowlers. But the visitors put up a determined bowling performance on a flat wicket at Seddon Park, taking seven wickets in the day.
The third session of the play belonged to New Zealand though, as they scored 100 runs, giving away two wickets. At tea break, the home side went into the pavilion, batting at a modest score of 160 runs, losing half their side. Going into the final session,
things became worst for the home side as they lost two wickets in the space of just 17 runs.
The hosts were in a desperate position and they needed a partnership of substance to revive them. Williamson and Southee responded to the situation in a positive manner and they added 83 runs in order to rescue their team from an early debacle.
Williamson has looked calm and composed at the crease, and has anchored the Kiwi innings quite well. The talented youngster remained unbeaten and played watchfully for his 44 off 110 balls. In doing so, he left every delivery that landed outside his off-stump
and waited for the loose delivery to dispatch it away to the boundary.
To everyone’s surprise, Southee, who is renowned for his bowling skills, outplayed Williamson with scintillating stroke-play. The 22-year old recorded the second half-century of his career. His unbeaten knock of 56 runs came off just 80 balls and he struck
eight boundaries.
For Pakistan, Abdur Rehman was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors as he bowled a brilliant spell of left-arm spin bowling. He troubled the Kiwi batsman with his flight and guile. His variations were difficult to pick and his nagging length earned him
healthy dividends, picking up 3/51 in a marathon spell of 30 overs.
Tanvir Ahmed was able to find some assistance off the track and bowled superbly with the new Kookaburra, picking up 2/54 in 15 incisive overs. Umar Gul provided Pakistan with a crucial breakthrough, as he brought about the demise of a dangerous looking Brendon
McCullum.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan started with a purpose and resultantly, they scalped their first wicket in the second over. However, McCullum and Guptill put up 83-run resilient partnership and bailed New Zealand out on what seemed like Pakistan's day through
and through.
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