The Basin Reserve ground in Wellington has always been known for the high winds and the same was on display when New Zealand took on India in the first Test of the two-match series which is being played under the ICC Test Championship. New Zealand is having some advantage after India getting bundled out for 165 in the first innings.
Ajinkya Rahane top-scored with 46, while Mayank Agarwal made 34 and Mohammed Shami made 21, as other were looking hapless against the swing and movement against Kiwi bowlers. Debutant Kyle Jamieson was the wrecker in chief as he registered the figures of 4/39, while veteran Tim Southee picked 4/49. Virat Kohli’s century-less streak stretched further as he fell for two runs.
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Meanwhile, on Day 1, a hilarious incident took place as, on one hand, the wind at Basin Reserve was making it hard for the Indian batsmen to counter the movement from fast bowlers and it also became the bane of Kane Williamson, as it blew away his hat.
In the 46th over of India’s innings, during Tim Southee’s over, Williamson’s Test cap decided that it could no longer hold onto his head amidst the heavy winds and blew off into the air. It started going towards the boundary rope with the Kiwi skipper chasing it. The crowd and the commentators were all left in splits and had a raucous reaction to the misery of the poor captain.
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The cap finally won the race to the ropes 20 yards away from where Williamson was standing and he had managed to retrieve it amidst laughter from the crowd. The whole incident was captured by the cameras as well and can be watched below.
Here’s the video:
https://twitter.com/DeepPhuyal/status/1230693340942917634
New Zealand took the advantage and took the lead in the stretched it when it was their turn to bat on day two as they made 216/5 with a lead of 51 runs. Kane Williamson made a masterful 89 runs, while Taylor in his 100th Test made 44. Ishant Sharma was the hero with the ball as he picked 3/31, while Shami and Ashwin picked one wicket each.
