Jamieson Cuts A Swathe Through The Indian Batting Line-Up

Lanky paceman’s five-for negates good work done by Shaw, Pujara and Vihari; New Zealand makes sedate start

- S. Dinakar

A carnival atmosphere prevailed at the Hagley Oval, with its hills and lovely white canopies. The trees around the ground swayed in the wind.

Amidst the pleasant surroundings, an intense battle was playing out. A giant of a predator was gobbling up batsmen with his off-stump line, steep bounce and subtle movement.

Ruthless

Kyle Jamieson, all of 6’8”, has a gaze that is cold and a bowling style that is ruthless in the way it probes the batsmen in the corridor. His five for 45 derailed the Indian innings on the opening day of the second Test here on Saturday.

Inserted, India was dismissed for 242. On a green surface where there was good carry and a measure of seam movement, the Indians were more positive in their approach but lost wickets at regular intervals.

New Zealand, in reply, was 63 without loss with southpaw Tom Latham and Tom Blundell, secure in defence and striking the ball with confidence and timing.

Earlier, the Kiwi pace pack seldom allowed the Indians to breathe easy. They changed angles, mixed lengths and created opportunities.

From 195 for four, when Hanuma Vihari gloved an attempted pull off Neil Wagner’s short-pitched delivery at the stroke of Tea, the Indian innings went on a downward spiral.

Vihari (55) had a slice of luck early — he was dropped on nine in front of first slip by ’keeper B-J. Watling after Jamieson’s short-ball-fuller length routine — but went on to play some spanking shots, pulling, slashing, cover-driving and flicking for runs.