The Indian pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Umesh Yadav shimmered on Day 2 of the practice match against New Zealand XI at Seddon Park in Hamilton. While Shami picked up three wickets, the duo of Bumrah and Umesh scalped two each as the New Zealand XI were bundled out for 235 in reply to India’s 263 on Day 1.
Speedster Bumrah started the proceedings as he sent opener Will Young (2) to the pavilion when the hosts reached 11. At 36, the Kiwis lost another wicket in the form of Tim Seifert (9), who was hunted by Shami.
Opener Rachin Ravindra (34) and Finn Allen (20) did try to hang in there for a while, but not for a longer time as Umesh caught Ravindra behind the stumps to claim his first wicket. New Zealand XI were 70-3 at that moment. Just 12 runs later, Allen too lost his momentum as Bumrah shattered his stumps to grab his second wicket of the match.
However, then the pair of Henry Cooper (40) and Tom Bruce (31) showed some fight and added a 51-run stand to take their side out of hot water. Before they could add more runs, Navdeep Saini got the better of Bruce and sent him back to the hut.
Soon after, the Black Caps lost two more wickets to reach 161-7. Then skipper Daryl Mitchell (32) and wicket-keeper Dane Cleaver (13) added 43-runs to take their team past 200. At 204, Umesh got Mitchell’s wicket, whereas, at 213, Saini got another in the form of Cleaver.
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also joined the party to claim his first and NZ XI’s last wicket when he dismissed Ish Sodhi (14).
Innings Break!
New Zealand XI all out for 235 runs. India lead by 28 runs
Shami 3/17, two wickets each for Bumrah, Saini and Umesh and Ashwin with final wicket of the innings. pic.twitter.com/vCShw7IdUp
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 15, 2020
Unlike the first innings, India started their second without losing a wicket early. The opening pair of Prithvi Shaw (35) and Mayank Agarwal (23) took the team to a flying start. At stumps, both remained not out as India posted 59 in just seven overs.
A good 50-run partnership between the openers @mayankcricket & @PrithviShaw as India finish Day 2 on 59/0, lead NZ XI (235) by 87 runs. pic.twitter.com/Ap0s9D09Lr
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 15, 2020