India in New Zealand, 2008/09New Zealand vs India 2nd Test, Napier - Preview24-Mar-2009 07:40:00 IST
Napier: Buoyant after winning the ODI series against New Zealand, at the score of 3-1, the Indian cricket team is all set to take on its rivals in the test series as well, after winning first Test by ten wickets. The second Test has been scheduled for 26th March 2009, Thursday, at Napier.
With the 1st Test wins, the Indian team created a record, winning a series in New Zealand for the first time in 41 years. Led by Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has never lost a test series as captain till date, Indian players are confident to clinch the test series as well.
In first Test, all Indian batsmen perform well lead by master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin makes his 42nd Test hundred and second in New Zealand. Good support by opener Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid.
In the 1st Test Sehwag and Yuvraj were not able to carry forward their start. In bowling, Zaheer led from front and very good support by other bowlers. India having won the last test series in New Zealand way back in 1968 will also be ready for counter attack.
Team Reports: Hopefully India will play with the same squad as on Wellington Test, while New Zealand call Jeten Patel in place of Brent Arnel.
With a historic Test series victory in sight, the rampaging Indian team takes on a demoralised New Zealand in the second Test on Thursday.
India have beaten Australia, England and New Zealand over their last five games, while New Zealand have suffered heavy defeats against Australia and India during this period.
Match facts
Thursday March 26 - Monday March 22
Start time 11.00 am local (22.00 GMT previous day)
Highlights of the match
|
India |
New Zealand |
| Coach |
Gary Kirsten |
Andy Moles |
| ICC Ranking |
3 |
8 |
| Key Players |
Sehwag, Ishant, Sachin, Zaheer |
Ryder, Vettori, Jeetan Patel, Martin |
| Trivia & Stats |
The only Indian from the current squad to play a Test here is Sachin Tendulkar, who missed his maiden Test century by 12 runs in 1990. |
New Zealand haven't yet won a Test here - in seven games they've lost two and drawn the rest. Jeetan Patel has taken ten wickets in two Tests at McLean Park. |
| Weather |
That, coupled with forecasts of sunny weather over the next four days, is good news for India's batsmen, but not so encouraging for New Zealand. |
| Pitch |
The pitch has come in for plenty of comment in the days leading up to the Test, with reports of a fungal growth forcing the groundsmen to shift the surface |
| Current Form |
DWWDW |
LLDDL (Recent last) |
| Head to head |
Total 45, India Won 15, New Zealnad won 9, Drawn 21 |
