It's Only
Cricket
|
|
|
1st ODI : India beat Kiwis (and rain) to win first game.Filed under
Ind in NZ 2009
INDvNZ Napier ODI 2009
Fact : 48 years since India won their only test series in New Zealand.Fact : India have never won an ODI series in New Zealand. Fact : Current India's tour of New Zealand 2009 started with absolutely no warm-up game for the sub-continent team whose batsmen have always failed under windy-swinging conditions in kiwiland. But, Indian cricket team of day is no pushovers.. At start of the series, Captain Dhoni said his team will not crib over lack of practice, and consider twin T20 games as warm-up before the big games. And so they did. Losing first T20 at Christchurch and 2nd T20 at Wellington, Indian captain Dhoni elected to bat with confidence today in this 1st ODI at Napier and also promoted himself to number 3 to play the sheet-anchor role. (1st ODI full scorecard). 89 ball 84 runs, a rain curtailed cricket match, Dhoni's solidity at other end provided perfect foil for Virendra Sehwag, Suresh Raina and Yusuf Pathan to attack from their end, propelling Indian total to healthy 273 in 38 over they got to play. 61 & 68 yards square of the wicket and 88 yards straight at both ends, Indian batters took full advantage of anything short bowled by New Zealand bowlers. Specially Kyle Mills who came back into backcaps team with high reputation as main fast bowler. Interestingly, New Zealand new ball bowlers got no swing out of this Napier pitch and neither did Indian opening bowler = Zaheer Khan and Praveen Kumar. Conditions were little too moist for movement (it almost rained throughout the match) but heavy target overhead worked in visitors favor who bowled tight, fielded well & restricted New Zealand hitters to pose a threat. Revised target of 278 from 38 overs to 218 from 28 overs didn't help home team either! Collission : between Virendra Sehwag and Ian O'Brien happened early on when Indian opener was trying for a quick single but O'Brien came in his way. O'Brien got the ball, tried to hit the stumps but failed. Sehwag was down on ground, out of the crease, angry, dejected, and had O'Brien's direct hit broken the stumps - it would have been interesting whether Kiwis appealed for it.. Ultimately, both player shake hands (rather gingerly) as the match went forward. Photo Quiz : Identify Cricketers | Pictures : Cricketers Wife & Girlfriends Related ArticlesInd in NZ 2009
INDvNZ Napier ODI 2009
|
|
Fact : 48 years since India won their only test series in New Zealand.