New Zealand keen to avenge Test humiliation
Black Caps back to full strength for ODIs while India missing several key players
The return of Southee and Anderson will bolster New Zealand as they turn their attention to ODIs after being whitewashed in the Tests. PHOTO: AFP
DHARAMSALA:
New Zealand will welcome back their most successful bowler and most destructive batsman tomorrow at the start of a five-match ODI series against a below-strength India after a mauling in the Tests.
Tim Southee, whose 135 one-day wickets put him at the top of the chart of New Zealand’s current players, missed the recent three-match Test series with an ankle injury as his teammates were whitewashed by their hosts.
But the 27-year-old’s return should give the Black Caps a much-needed boost for the series opener in the Himalayan hill station of Dharamsala where the chillier conditions will be far more familiar for the tourists.
Corey Anderson, who has the highest strike of any New Zealand player in ODI history, is back from an ankle injury to bolster the batting at a ground where New Zealand enjoyed one of their most satisfying recent wins.
India's Raina to miss first ODI against New Zealand
Back in March, New Zealand beat arch-rivals Australia at the picturesque Dharamasala ground by eight runs in the World T20, gaining a measure of revenge for their defeat in last year’s 50-over World Cup final.
Anderson and Southee’s return gives a more experienced look to a tour party which coach Mike Hesson admits are ‘in a trough’ and need ‘to move on pretty quickly’ from their Test disappointment.
Southee, who has not played an ODI for New Zealand this year, said ‘the guys were hurting a bit’ after the Test disappointment but predicted a close ODI series which he was particularly looking forward to.
“It’s never nice to be injured and having to watch so it’s exciting to get back out there,” he told New Zealand Cricket’s website. “We can’t dwell on it [the defeat in the Tests] too much, we have an important one day series ahead that everyone is looking forward to and I think [it] will be a very evenly contested one-day series.”
India’s Ashwin regains bowling top spot
While the return of Southee gives New Zealand more options, their hosts will be hampered by the absence of several of their leading bowlers.
Key spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are being rested for the first three matches as is paceman Mohammed Shami, who is building up his fitness after a long lay-off.
And India’s batting line-up has been weakened by the loss of veteran Suresh Raina with a viral infection and opener Shikhar Dhawan, who has a broken thumb.
MS Dhoni will return to lead the side, meaning Test captain Virat Kohli goes back into the ranks, his confidence high after hitting a career best 211 against the Black Caps last weekend.
Dhoni, whose last significant ODI innings was an unbeaten 92 against South Africa in October 2015, needs a strong showing to silence critics who say it’s time for Kohli to take over in short-form cricket as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2016.
New Zealand will welcome back their most successful bowler and most destructive batsman tomorrow at the start of a five-match ODI series against a below-strength India after a mauling in the Tests.
Tim Southee, whose 135 one-day wickets put him at the top of the chart of New Zealand’s current players, missed the recent three-match Test series with an ankle injury as his teammates were whitewashed by their hosts.
But the 27-year-old’s return should give the Black Caps a much-needed boost for the series opener in the Himalayan hill station of Dharamsala where the chillier conditions will be far more familiar for the tourists.
Corey Anderson, who has the highest strike of any New Zealand player in ODI history, is back from an ankle injury to bolster the batting at a ground where New Zealand enjoyed one of their most satisfying recent wins.
India's Raina to miss first ODI against New Zealand
Back in March, New Zealand beat arch-rivals Australia at the picturesque Dharamasala ground by eight runs in the World T20, gaining a measure of revenge for their defeat in last year’s 50-over World Cup final.
Anderson and Southee’s return gives a more experienced look to a tour party which coach Mike Hesson admits are ‘in a trough’ and need ‘to move on pretty quickly’ from their Test disappointment.
Southee, who has not played an ODI for New Zealand this year, said ‘the guys were hurting a bit’ after the Test disappointment but predicted a close ODI series which he was particularly looking forward to.
“It’s never nice to be injured and having to watch so it’s exciting to get back out there,” he told New Zealand Cricket’s website. “We can’t dwell on it [the defeat in the Tests] too much, we have an important one day series ahead that everyone is looking forward to and I think [it] will be a very evenly contested one-day series.”
India’s Ashwin regains bowling top spot
While the return of Southee gives New Zealand more options, their hosts will be hampered by the absence of several of their leading bowlers.
Key spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are being rested for the first three matches as is paceman Mohammed Shami, who is building up his fitness after a long lay-off.
And India’s batting line-up has been weakened by the loss of veteran Suresh Raina with a viral infection and opener Shikhar Dhawan, who has a broken thumb.
MS Dhoni will return to lead the side, meaning Test captain Virat Kohli goes back into the ranks, his confidence high after hitting a career best 211 against the Black Caps last weekend.
Dhoni, whose last significant ODI innings was an unbeaten 92 against South Africa in October 2015, needs a strong showing to silence critics who say it’s time for Kohli to take over in short-form cricket as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2016.