New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson had a dream Test debut on Friday (February 21) with 3 for 38 to leave India in a hole at 122 for 5 on a windy and wet day at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The young, tall fast bowler took out key wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Hanuma Vihari by Tea, after which play could not resume due to a strong spell of shower, forcing early stumps on Day 1 of the much-anticipated Test series.
Earlier in the day under overcast conditions Kane Williamson won an important toss and put India in on a green top. The ball was doing a lot both in the air and off the surface and India’s opening partnership endured another low score with Prithvi Shaw cleaned up by Tim Southee by a lovely outswinger in the fifth over of the day.
However, following the early wicket Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara hold fort for sometime until Jamieson was introduced into the attack. He lanky pacer was accurate in his line and length and got bounce out of the good length area. The 20-year old eventually got his maiden Test scalp in his third over of the day when he got rid of Pujara with an absolute jaffa. The ball pitched, moved slightly away, kissed the edge of Pujara’s bat and landed in BJ Watling’s gloves.
Meanwhile, his second was even more memorable as he had India captain Kohli driving away from his body to edge the ball to Ross Taylor at first slip. Although he just got a finger under the ball, but Taylor wasn’t going to drop this in his 100th Test.
With Pujara and Kohli back in quick succession, Ajinkya Rahane and Agarwal tried to steady the ship by adding 39 run in 10.1 overs. India went to Lunch at 79 for 3.
After the break the visitors lost the wicket of Agarwal to Boult. It was a soft dismissal as the opener was unable to keep a short-pitched ball down and offered an easy catch to Jamieson at the long leg region. Next it was in-form Hanuma Vihari who scored a ton in the three-day practice game in Hamilton, lost his wicket to Jamieson.
At 101/5, Rishabh Pant joined Rahane at the crease. The Delhi wicketkeeper-batsman was a surprise pick in the XI ahead of Wriddhiman Saha as the former got the nod because of his skills with the willow in hand. He alongside Rahane played out the remaining 14 overs ensure no further wickets were harmed as India got only 43 runs in the second session.
As the players head back for the dressing room during the Tea break a strong passing shower swept across the Basin Reserve. Following that there were mild drizzles on regular intervals which forced the umpires to call off the Day’s play at around 17.35 local time.
Brief Scores:
India 122/5 (Ajinkya Rahane 38*; Kyle Jamieson 3/38) vs New Zealand at Stumps on Day 1.