05.16.08
New Zealand Fail To Put Up A Good Show
New Zealand’s batting has failed in the first test of the series. None of the New Zealand batsmen looked comfortable at the wicket and everyone walked in and walked out with the same speed. At one point of time it looked as though even 200 wouldn’t be possible and it was a possibilty that they could be bowled out on the first day itself.
Then walked in Brendon McCullum who had different plans. He played his natural game and stroked his way to a useful run a ball 97 before being bowled at the final minutes of the end of day’s play.This is the second time he’s getting out in the 90’s at this very same venue, the last time being in the 2004 tour. By the time he was out, he ensured that New Zealand’s score went past the 200 mark. Other than him, it was only Daniel Vettori who managed 48 runs. The second days play was very slow with loads of interruptions. But New Zealand were finally bowled out for 277 and English openers put on a fifty run stand to cap off the day. Ryan Sidebottom was England’s best bowler with figures of 4 for 55.
