Black Caps focused on process ahead of second South Africa test

12.02.2024 - 08:31 channelnewsasia.com

New Zealand could hardly not be confident of sealing their first series triumph over South Africa in 72 years of trying when they take to the field at Hamilton's Seddon Park for the second test on Tuesday.The Black Caps romped to a 281-run victory in the first test at Mount Maunganui last week and all the factors that contributed to that comprehensive win remain in play this week.Foremost amongst those is the yawning gap in experience between the two sides after South Africa Cricket decided to send a weakened team and prioritise their financially lucrative Twenty20 competition.New Zealand captain Tim Southee has resolutely refused to engage on the subject of his team potentially making a little bit of history this week and said the prospect had not been discussed in camp. "We obviously had a great week last week.

And like every test match our focus has been on our preparation over the last couple of days," he told reporters on Monday. "It doesn't change who you play or what test match."There will be changes to the home side, however, as Daryl Mitchell will miss the match and the Twenty20 series against Australia that follows with a foot injury.

Will Young will come into the middle of the batting order to replace him, while rangy paceman Will O'Rourke was included in the squad for this test only and could make his test debut."His strengths are obviously his height and his ability to extract bounce," Southee, who will name his team at the toss, said of the 22-year-old. "He's got the tools to be a very, very good bowler and someone I'm sure will thrive at this level and have a long career at this level." South Africa captain Neil Brand, who made his test debut with several of his team mates last week, said there would also

cricket bowling Testing Career reports Parke Gap Test on Tim Southee Australia South Africa New Zealand

Australia captain Pat Cummins heaped praise on team-mates Nathan Lyon and Cameron Green on Sunday for match-winning performances his side secured a 172-run triumph over New Zealand in the first Test. Lyon spun the visitors to victory in the morning session on day four in Wellington, taking six wickets as New Zealand crumbled to 196 all out. New Zealand lost their last seven wickets before lunch on Sunday for 70 runs, with four falling to off-spinner Lyon, who finished with figures of 6-65 off 27 overs and 10-108 in the match.

Nathan Lyon Spins Australia To Victory Over New Zealand In First Test

Nathan Lyon spun Australia to a 172-run win over New Zealand in the first Test on Sunday, taking six wickets as the hosts collapsed to 196 all out. The home side crumbled on the fourth morning in Wellington, losing their last seven wickets for 70 runs, with four of them falling to off-spinner Lyon. He finished with innings figures of 6-65 off 27 overs, giving him 10-108 for the match. The 36-year-old capitalised on spin-friendly Basin Reserve conditions and some meek batting from New Zealand, who began the day on 111-3 and needing 258 more runs to secure an unlikely victory.

Lyon takes six as Australia thrash New Zealand in first test

Spinner Nathan Lyon took six for 65 as Australia dismissed New Zealand for 196 early on the fourth day of the first test at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Sunday to win the match by an emphatic 172 runs and go 1-0 up in the series.

Steve Smith: Is The 'Best Since Bradman' On Decline, A Look Into Numbers

Star Australian batter Steve Smith has not been having best of the times as an opening batter, as his downward slump continued during the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington. During the first Test, he was dismissed for 31 in 71 balls by Matt Henry and then later for a three-ball duck in the second inning by Kiwi skipper Tim Southee. This has added to Smith's lean run that started just during the start of the new ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Nathan Lyon Scripts Unique Batting Record In 1st Test vs New Zealand

Australian spin veteran Nathan Lyon made a unique batting record during the first Test against New Zealand at Wellington, becoming the player with the most Test runs without scoring a single half-century. During the day two of the match, Lyon came out as a nightwatchman following the dismissals of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne and made 41 in 46 balls, with six fours. He scored his runs at a strike rate of over 89. Now in 128 Tests and 162 innings, Lyon has made 1,501 runs at an average of 12.72. His best score is 47.

Watch: Commentator In Splits As Cameron Green-Josh Hazlewood's Running Act Stuns New Zealand

Star all-rounder Cameron Green was involved in a hilarious incident on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test between New Zealand and Australia at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Friday. It happened in the third over of the morning session after Australia had resumed their innings at 279/9. New Zealand pacer Matt Henry bowled an in-swinger to Josh Hazlewood, who caressed the ball through midwicket. While Green and Hazlewood could've stolen two runs, the former sent the latter back even before he completed a single.