Pune Test: New Zealand Scored 198 For 5 In 2nd Innings On Day 2
In cricket, New Zealand scored 198 for 5 in their second innings at the stumps on day two of the second test against India at Pune. The visitors now have a lead of 301 runs.
Earlier today, Mitchell Santner’s seven-wicket haul sent hosts back to the pavilion one after another, without much changing on the scoreboard. They were all out for 156 in their first inning, giving New Zealand a 103 lead. Santner bowled 17.3 overs, and most of his victims were lbw or clean bowled.
In their first innings, New Zealand were all out for 259 as all-rounder Washington Sundar picked his maiden 5-wicket haul. Ravichandran Ashwin picked up three wickets. New Zealand have 1-nil lead after winning the first test at Bengaluru by 8 wickets.
So New Zealand hold all the aces going forward in this Test. A lead of 301 already with five wickets yet to come. Can they put the finishing touches on what has been an incredible performance so far? Join us tomorrow to find out. Cheers!
Mitch Santner: It’s a great feeling to put ourselves in a position of winning a Test match here. It doesn’t look easy and we knew partnerships were key, glad we could perform well today. We spoke about trying to find the right speed on this wicket, as the day went along the slower ones started to spin and it was about trying to put it in the right areas. (On bowling wide of the crease) Just tried to change the angles, induce the play and miss and vary it out.
I watched Washi go wide of the crease earlier, tried to do the same. (On performing well in India) I guess the pitches spin, which is nice. We don’t get that back home. The pitches here provide some good assistance for the spinners. I think the pitch is doing a little bit, it is not easy but we spoke about trying to fire shots and not sit there trying to scratch it out. On the flip side, I think when we bowl in the second innings, India will also try to place some shots. We just need to be accurate.
New Zealand are favourites now to seal the series in Pune itself. What a day they’ve had. Led by a sensational spell from Mitchell Santner, they bundled India out for 156 and secured a big first innings lead of 100-plus. Their batters then came out playing positively and have managed to stretch that lead over 300 which looks massive despite the pitch slowing down a touch. And they’re not done yet either. Washington Sundar, again, was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, picking up four of the five wickets to fall so far.
He has had a brilliant Test match. The same, however, can’t be said of his teammates. The Indian batters found Santner too hard to negotiate as he varied his pace, trajectory and angles beautifully. There was enough help in the pitch and Santner was on top of his game after a disappointing tour of Sri Lanka recently. As for the Indian bowling, it has been an underwhelming performance from the two lead spinners.
