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New Zealand openers Will Young and Tom Latham ended Day 2 of the ongoing first Test at Green Park in Kanpur on high after forming a scintillating unbeaten stand.
In response to India’s 345, Young and Latham went on to form a dominating partnership of 129 runs for the opening wicket to bring back New Zealand in the game.
Both the players reached their respective half-centuries and kept Indian bowlers run for their money on the second day. At stumps, Young was unbeaten at 75 with the help of 12 boundaries, Latham was not out at 50, including four boundaries.
Highest opening stands for New Zealand in India:
- 231 – M Richardson and L Vincent, Mohali 2003/04
- 131 – M Horne and G Stead, Ahmedabad 1999/00
- 129* – Tom Latham and Will Young, Kanpur 2020/21
No Indian bowler could turn the tables for the hosts as they failed to pick even one wicket in New Zealand’s first innings. Pace duo of Ishant Sharma (0/10) and Umesh Yadav (0/26) looked clueless, while the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin (0/38), Ravindra Jadeja (0/28) and Axar Patel (0/26) also couldn’t get any sort of success on a relatively slow track.
Earlier, India resumed their overnight score of 258/4 but failed to take it big and got bundled out for 345 in 111.1 overs. However, Shreyas Iyer did impress with a splendid century on his debut Test.
For the visitors, Tim Southee was the pick of the bowler. The right-armer bagged a five-wicket haul while conceding 69 runs in 27.4 overs. Kyle Jamieson picked up three wickets in the match, whereas Ajaz Patel took a couple of wickets for 90 in 29.1 overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Will Young and Tom Latham were calm, composed and solid against Indian spin trio. First session is going to be vital, game can shift to anywhere and hopefully some sharp turn as well from tomorrow.
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) November 26, 2021
At Stumps on Day 1:
Shreyas Iyer: 75*
Ravindra Jadeja: 50*At Stumps on Day 2:
Will Young: 75*
Tom Latham: 50*Courtesy: @Statsdilip
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 26, 2021
Brilliant effort from the New Zealand bowlers this morning. Extraordinary spell from Tim Southee. Bowled 12 consecutive overs to pick up 4 wkts in the spell and a much deserved 5-wkt haul. Used the crease really well and forced the batsmen to make errors. Class act. pic.twitter.com/t9Hj1eY4br
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 26, 2021
The last time any visiting opening pair survived 50+ overs in India was five years ago at Vizag in Nov 2016 when Hammed and Cook put on 75 in 50.2 overs#IndvNZ #IndvsNZ#NZvInd #NZvsInd
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 26, 2021
Is NZ’s Tom Latham heading for a most unusual batting world record…maximum number of successful DRS calls for himself…
Three out of three decisions reversed already…and he’s only got to an unbeaten 50 as yet…— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) November 26, 2021
Stumps on day two in Kanpur 🏏
The @BLACKCAPS end the day on the front foot after an excellent opening partnership. #WTC23 | #INDvNZ | https://t.co/9OZPrsh0Tm pic.twitter.com/wrPaPeudgj
— ICC (@ICC) November 26, 2021
The openers take it to the close of Day 2 in Kanpur. We will start Day 3 216 runs behind at Green Park. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/yGSlW6a2d5 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/8xGhW9sWUW
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 26, 2021
A tremendous opening partnership for New Zealand as they end Day 2 without losing a wicket.#INDvNZ #Kanpur pic.twitter.com/lGc4iX9ZwD
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 26, 2021
The adaptability of Tom Latham is incredible, batting in middle order in ODI and opening in Tests – only very few doing with KL Rahul for India.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 26, 2021