NEW DELHI: New Zealand will enter the second Test match against India with no preconceived notions about a spin-friendly surface, according to captain Tom Latham, who claimed that they will instead concentrate on making good use of their bowling options.
New Zealand won the first Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets, giving them a crucial 1-0 lead.
In the Bengaluru Test, the Kiwis bowled India out for their lowest home total of 46.New Zealand maintained composure to win in India for the first time in thirty-six years, even though the hosts mounted a comeback in the second innings.
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“Whatever we’re presented with, for us it’s about trying to adapt as quick as we can,” Latham told the media ahead of the second Test in Pune.
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“If it is going to be a wicket that turns a little bit more, then we’ve got four spinners in our line-up, that will play into their hands, but it’s (also) about to try not to go into the game with too many preconceived ideas,” he added.
Latham said that he had considered how they may make use of the available spinners. In addition to Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips to roll over their arms, New Zealand’s frontline tweakers include Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, and Ajaz Patel.
“I obviously had a little bit of a think around what that may look like,” he said.
“(We will) try to get a little bit of information from previous games here and also the practice wickets that we’re on, will hopefully be something around, or similar to what we’re getting,” he said.
New Zealand won’t be resting on their laurels after their historic Test victory in Bengaluru, according to Latham.
“(It is) very special, there is myself, Graham Dowling and John Wright, to be in this position is really special. But for me it was a team effort,” he said.
“We celebrated what was a special performance, but our attention (has) turned quickly to this game and we’re trying not to rest on what happened last week, (we are) trying to take the confidence from last week and take that into this game and hopefully hit the ground running.”
“The confidence that it can bring into a side is probably the most important thing, that we can come over here and we can compete and we can do well,” he added.
The opening batsman, who assumed captaincy prior to this trip, stated that he is not very concerned about his lack of significant scores.
“For me it’s about trying to contribute as best I can in my role, it’s not just myself, it’s other guys that are just trying to perform their role as best they can and that may look slightly different throughout the test match,” he said.
“I’ve certainly been working hard behind the scenes to get my game where I want it to be. As a batsman it’s a really fine line, you can be hitting the ball really well and get a good one, or vice versa, you may not be hitting it so well and get a bit of luck,” he added.
Rachin Ravindra’s strategy at several points during his incredible 134 in Bengaluru, according to Latham, demonstrated how to properly mix the components of attack and defence under Indian conditions.
“The way he played throughout that whole innings was outstanding, (if) you take the situations of some of the partnerships that he was involved in, the way he played was really important,” he said.
“He put the foot down a little bit, played a little bit more attacking at certain stages and then obviously sucked up a little bit of pressure at times as well. We saw that in the second innings too,” he said.
Kane Williamson is collaborating closely with the medical staff, according to Latham, despite missing the first two of the three Test matches on this trip.
“It’s a day-by-day thing with Kane, fingers crossed that he will be up and ready. He’s obviously working closely with the medical team back home,” he said.
“It’s just a bit of a waiting game, hopefully we’ll find out a little bit more after the Test,” Latham added.
