Test Cricket: Day One Round Up

The first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan, and the second Test involving India and Sri Lanka both started today, with the home sides having differing displays with the bat.

The series started badly for the Kiwis as they lost Tim McIntosh first ball to the teen sensation Mohammad Aamer. They also found returning seam bowler Mohammad Asif in cracking form as well. Asif, who has had two years out of the game through injury and drugs controversies, took 3-76 to make a mark on his return. New Zealand had Ross Taylor to thank, as they reached a respectable 276/6 at the close of play, after he hit a fine 94, backed up well by opener Martin Guptill who made 60 before becoming Aamer’s second victim.

It was a completely different story in Kanpur as India followed on from the run fest in Ahmedabad by hitting the most runs they’ve ever made in a day. After playing in quite a subdued fashion against the seamers, openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag attacked the spin trio of Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath. By lunch the pair had made 130 runs and soon after both reached deserved centuries, Gambhir for the fourth Test in a row with Sehwag’s coming off just 97 balls. Both fell to Muralitharan, for 167 and 131 respectively, but the damage had already been done. With the total at 417/2 and Dravid (85) and Tendulkar (20) at the crease tomorrow morning any total is achievable.

November 24, 2009